A shorthanded North Island Eagles midget hockey team came up just short of a pair of wins in a South Island road trip to kick off the Vancouver Island Hockey League regular season last week.
On Oct. 27, the Eagles suited 11 skaters and played to a 4-4 tie at Sooke, with Eric Kennelly scoring all four goals.
"The guys were gassed by the end," midget coach Mike Bell said. "I was happy with a tie in that one."
The following day in Victoria the Eagles skated against the host Hawks in what Bell termed the best-officiated game he had ever seen in Island play. Victoria was assessed just one penalty and the North Islanders two minors. Unfortunately, that second penalty resulted in a Victoria power-play goal at 12:54 of the final period that snapped a 4-4 tie and secured a 5-4 win by the hosts.
Kennelly added another goal in loss, Chad Bell scored a pair and Thomas Coon added a tally. Malcolm Brown had a pair of assists and Ty Brittain, Brandon Purdey and Robbie Heavenor each had one.
In Saturday's tie, Bell and Heavenor provided two assists each and George Walkus, Coltton Slater and Tyson Cadwallader added helpers.
After taking last weekend off, the midgets return to action this weekend in a Remembrance Day tournament in the Cowichan Valley.