With two
hard fought victories last weekend, the Grizzlies have reasserted themselves as
the top team on the Island. The Grizzlies, battled hard for 6 periods plus 3 OT
periods in wins against the reigning RBC Cup Champions the Penticton Vees and a
hard working Bulldog team. In doing so, this Grizzlies team has shown they will
fight tooth and nail to get a victory. Those results have really made the rest
of the league sit up and take notice.
Bill Bestwick’s
brand of hockey it being translated very nicely on the ice, as a team that plays
all three periods of hockey and combines skill and hard work with a high tempo approach
to most games. This is a bigger, tougher Grizzlies team than we’ve seen in the
past which is working to good effect.
Turner
Lawson for example. Lawson is pointless so far this season, but, when he’s on
the ice he hits, wins the battles against the boards and in the corners and does
the little things for the team that produces wins at this level.
Overall, scoring
is an issue, but, some hard work and everyone battling for each other has seen
the Grizzlies take top spot for most of the first ten games.
With the Grizzlies
welcoming back Chase Kaiser and Justin Coachman last weekend, it showed the
depth this team has and that will be a key factor as the season progresses.
Which brings
us to this weekend, where the Grizzlies who have only lost once on home ice
this season, entertain the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Smokies have struggle at
times this season and are on a 4 games losing streak at the moment. Head Coach,
Bill Birks does have some talent on his team and this is by no means a victory
in the bag for the Grizzlies. No games are at this level.
Trail, will
be counting on former Oceanside General and Island boy Brent Baltus, who is the
team leader with 10 points so far this season. With former Bulldog, Tyler
Berkholtz and experienced defensemen in Djordje Leposavic, Marley Keca and
former Grizz, Braden Pears a Victoria born player, Trail should make a decent
game of it.
The Smoke Eaters
have sadly been victims of players not reporting, in Max Mowat and guys looking
for a trade and leaving the team, in Tanner Clarkson. Both, are good forwards
who could have really made a difference for Trail this season
As we only
get to see the Interior teams once at Bear Mountain this season, watching a
team like the Smoke Eaters who have years of history and tradition in Canadian
hockey is always a treat.
With fans coming
back, the atmosphere fun and alive and with this brand of Grizzlies hockey as
fast paced, hard-nosed and entertaining as it has been, we’ll see you Friday
night v’s Trail.
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