Grizzlies Road Trip Jan 6th, 7th and 8th

So in a couple of hours, the Grizzlies kick off there first of three Interior road games v's the Vernon Vipers tonight. This continues with a trip  to play the Smoke Eaters in Trial for Saturday and closing out with a Sunday afternoon game in West Kelowna v's Rylan Ferster's, Westside Warriors.
With the Grizzlies now trailing the 4th place and resurgent Coquitlam Express by 8 points,
are the alarm bells ringing, yeah a bit. To be blunt about it, every game is a playoff game from now until our last game of the season on March 10th.
Now, what to expect from this road trip, usually this is always a tricky road trip:

Vernon, are traditionally a BCHL powerhouse who always make their Wesbild Centre a fortress and their fans come out numbers. But, like the Grizzlies the Vipers are fighting for there playoff lifes this season, as they are in 5th place, 3 points behind 4th placed Chilliwack.
With new coaching and a host of new faces, Vernon has stuggled this season and are certainly a little more beatable than in recent seasons. With the additions of Dylan Walchuk and ex-Grizz Captain Sean Robertson, gives the Vipers a lift going into 2012. But, if there was ever time to take out the Vipers in their own barn, its this season and a desperate Grizzlies team on Friday night, might just be the team to do this.

The Smokies, have seen a very tough season so far. So tough that to make the playoffs, would be nothing short of a miracle.
The Smokeaters have only won 5 games all season and Head Coach Bill Birks, has seen a lot of roster turn over which hasn't helped the Smokies cause. Now, Trail's Cominco Arena has never been very friendly to the Grizzlies. Victoria, hasn't won in Trail for a couple of seasons and where Trail's record might make them look like easy-pickings, they should not be taken too lightly. Trail, also welcome back ex Grizzlie Adam Fares for this game, who has missed much of the season with an injury.
But, to be honest looking at this game, the Grizzlies really need to take two points out of Trail.

Westside, can be described as an underachieving team this season. With quality BCHL players in guys like Basara, French, Morrison and captain Bergland, they still find themselves in 7th place and 8 points of playoff contention.
Head Coach Rylan Ferster(Victoria should have kept Ferster), who is regarded as one of the better Junior A coaches in the country, has had a frustrating year,but, with the Warriors being in a similar position to the Grizzlies, it's all to play for between these two clubs on Sunday. Since the Warriors arrival in West Kelowna 6 years ago, the team has been a success off the ice. But, to keep the fans coming back the Warriors, need to start making some noise with a good playoff run.

 So the skinny is, the Grizzlies need to take a minimum of 4 points from this trip. All three opponents aren't having the best of seasons, and with the urgency surrounding a playoff position in Victoria's case................motivation shouldn't be an issue. Go Grizzlies go!!!!!!!!!!!