This Upcoming Weekend

If last weekend proved one thing, it was that as well as the hard work and determination our team is known for, there is the talent to win games (providing there not too undermanned.)

Hard work and effort trumped Langley, last Friday night at the "Bear" and once again showed how well numerous players have adapted to more ice-time and greater responsibility. The Langley game had it all, it was physical, both teams battled for three periods, exciting plays and some well worked goals.

The Nanaimo game on Saturday was one of the better battles I've seen between the two teams in the last two seasons. Nanaimo, came into the Westshore last Saturday with the purpose of defeating the Grizzlies at all costs, to keep pace with a playoff spot. To the Clippers credit, they played hard, gutsy and got the win they needed. But, the Grizzlies battled them for three periods and frustrated Nanaimo and looked like they could have made it two home weekend wins, with Taylor pears giving the Grizzlies a chance with some great goaltending.

I'll sound like a broken record again here, but a Grizzlies team that has pretty well a full complement of defenseman and at least three forward lines will give any team in this league a game and can be capable of pulling a win out of the hat. Which is way the Coaching staff should have really taken a look at some of the consequences of shredding the roster as they did at the deadline, to leave the line up so shorthanded at times.

 So onto this weekend, which for the Grizzlies fans after seeing  last weekends effort, we should be in a for high octane match up against Surrey tonight. The Eagles are the league leaders and will be looking to pull out all the stops to win the Coastal Conference title and claim home ice advantage for the bulk of the playoffs. For me the Eagles have been the most complete team in the Coastal this season and have consistancy and depth throughout the line up. However, playing the Grizzlies these days can be a bit like a war of attrition. The Grizzlies will make the Eagles work for it and if we see the same effort as last weekend........we just might see an upset!!!!!

See you at the "Bear"!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday night, the Grizzlies will make their last bus ride of the season as they play the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Port Alberni, on Saturday night. With this being the last road game of the season, the boys play 4 of the last 5 games at home. The Grizzlies have found the going tough playing at the Weyerhauser arena this season, but, can always relay on the 7th man in the form of the usual healthy Victoria travelling support.