Stop the
presses Grizzlies fans , we have two home games in three days coming up this
weekend…can I get a hallelujah.
With only two
home games so far this month, the road warriors finally come back to the
friendly confines of Bear Mountain arena. Friendly, not for long as the Nanaimo
Clippers make their first venture into the ‘Bear’ this season on Friday night.
In two games so far this season, both at Frank Crane Arena, each contest have
been physical, hard fought, exciting and everything left on the ice. For a rivalry
that needs no extra fuel, the Clippers and Grizzlies find themselves battling
for the Island division lead at this time.
The Grizzlies
are well worth there lead at the top of the division over the Clippers right
now, no thanks in large part to a squad that works hard for each, plays with
great chemistry and finds a way to win.
The Clippers
on the other hand find themselves with a lot more pressure on their shoulders
this season, with Nanaimo being the host team for the inaugural Jnr A, Western Championships
in April/May 2013. While a place in the championship is guaranteed as the host,
the Clippers will not want to go in through the back door, they’ll want to take
the BCHL title to do it. Grizzlies fans remember that type of pressure when
Victoria hosted the RBC in 2009.
Mike
VandeKamp , has loaded up his Harbour City team, but, it hasn’t all been smooth
sailing so far. After a dismal first season at the Clippers helm last season,
Vandekamp has come under fire this season for his team playing a scrappy and too physical
a game. This has had some of the Clippers faithful wondering if that style can see this team through to a BCHL
title. However, results have started to come the Clippers way recently and a
very impressive interior road trip a couple of weeks ago, saw Nanaimo move right up on the heels of
the Grizzlies in the standings.
Nanaimo do
have the firepower in Reid Sturos, Mark McNicholas ,Kyle Kramer, former WHLer
Greg Fraser and recently acquired power
forward Matt Grant from Cowichan. While there is also that physical game to
Nanaimo, goaltending has also played a big part in the Clippers recent success
and Nanaimo is a team that pushes Victoria to its limits in each contest.
Now, Bill Bestwick
anticipating that Nanaimo would load up with a talented/physical roster this season
and has played a chess game with Mike Vandekmap; in the form of bringing in the
likes of Chris Albertini, Zach Urban, David Mazarek and Justin Coachman to
match that physicality. The Grizzlies aren’t getting pushed around by anyone.
Although the
Grizzlies are coming off a hard fought loss in OT to Alberni last weekend,
confidence looks like it’s high in the Grizzlies camp and with players coming back
from injury and suspensions. Bill will hopefully have a healthy roster for this
weekend.
Games for this Upcoming Weekend:
Victoria Grizzlies v's Nanaimo Clippers @ Bear Mountain Arena, 7:15pm, Friday, Nov 30th.
Cowichan Valley Capitals v's Victoria Grizzlies @ Island Savings Centre, Duncan, 7pm,
Saturday, Dec 1st.
Victoria Grizzlies v's Langley Rivermen @ Bear Mountain Arena, Sunday, 1:15pm, Dec 2nd.
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