Undefeated through six games in February, the Kerry Park Islanders were looking to make it a perfect eight in a row this past weekend, to finish a successful VIJHL run with an exclamation point.
With about five games left to play, the Islanders were crowned regular season champions on Feb. 14, the team's first since the 2006-07 season. It was a high the team won't soon forget but what followed was an unimaginable loss for the club from Mill Bay.
The weekend began with an uncharacteristic 6-0 loss to the Westshore Wolves, but that was nothing compared to the loss they'd feel the following night upon learning just before their home game against the Victoria Cougars, that their assistant coach Phil Downie had unexpectedly died.
With their hearts heavy and on a mission to win one for their coach, Kerry Park went on to fire 52 shots at the Victoria goalie and earn a 6-4 win.
The evening saw Max Carlson awarded the Clayton Stoner Trophy as the VIJHL's top defenceman, and the team recognized as regular season champions.
Carson Brown was also awarded the season's Jamie Benn Trophy as the VIJHL MVP, and earned his 100th point of the season. He led the way against Victoria with two goals while singles came from the sticks of Adam Konowalchuk, Nate Grinevitch, Colby Robinson, and Ben Stocks.
Noah Stenvig earned the win in net, saving 27 of 31 shots.
Through all the success, Downie was still front and centre.
"Last night he was supposed to be at his favourite place, the rink, celebrating with a team he cared about more than anything at the last game before playoffs with them receiving the banner for winning the regular season," said Downie's wife, Kim Downie, in a public Facebook post. "I want to thank Kerry Park Islanders for having him there with you in spirit so that he was still very much a part of the team. That would have meant the world to him."
Downie leaves behind his wife, two children, his parents, and a hockey community that won't soon forget the contributions he's made to the sport, and to the development of young athletes.
"Coaches like Phil give more than hockey skills," said Katie Bernardo of ICE-Inspiring Children to Empowerment, a non-profit group aimed at helping kids and youth heal from the effects of domestic violence, trauma and loss through hockey. "They give commitment, they teach integrity, they provide opportunities to learn hard work and sportsmanship. Lessons like these transcend into all areas of life and the impact he made cannot be understated."
Ice Chips:
Gifted rookie Jacob Morrison has moved to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL.
In 38 games as an Islander, Morrison posted 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points, good enough to keep him in the top 3 of point-getters for the majority of the season.
The Isles have signed power-forward Adam Konowalchuk, who played 26 games with the Coquitlam Express this year, scoring one goal and two assists for three points.
