The Sprint to the Break
It’s just a couple of weeks before Christmas and the Island standings are starting to cluster up a bit. At the time of this writing Alberni Valley had points in four straight games with a 2-0-0-2 record. Will Colin Phaneuf, who was acquired for Ryan Depape, be an impact player on the team? Coach Bryant Perrier says he has been able to score in the past and I’m sure Alberni Valley fans will hope he can contribute in a big way down the stretch. I’ve seen the Bulldogs a couple of times in the past few weeks and they don’t give up. On both occasions they went to overtime although they went on to lose. The one player who has really stood out for me is Mitch MacMillan. I’ve always thought of him as an energy player but he’s put up 13 goals in 20 games as a Bulldog. He’s certainly more than an energy guy right now. Congratulations as well to Matthew Wong for his second straight All Star selection. There are six games left before Christmas for the Dogs with 2 against Victoria and Cowichan and singles with Nanaimo and Prince George.
Nanaimo and Cowichan are locked up in a huge battle for second place in the division. Nanaimo has a one point lead with 2 games in hand. The rivals will battle two more times before the break including the last game before Christmas for both. Nanaimo is 4-1-0-1 in the first 6 but in the last matchup on December 3rd Cowichan walked away from Frank Crane Arena with a 6-1 win. The stigma of that building is waning somewhat with an 8-8-0-2 record for the Clippers at home this year. New Capital Anthony Perdicaro has brought a lot to the table with 8 points in his first 8 games and 22 penalty minutes. He has made that team tougher to play against because of his grit and abrasive on-ice personality. If Ryan Pajimola joins their lineup soon they will get better, and tougher, yet again. On the schedule for the Caps it’s Nanaimo and Alberni twice and a single with Prince George before the break. Meanwhile the Clippers have reunited veterans Eric Filiou and Russell Goodman, and moved All Star defenseman Anders Franzon up front in hopes of finding their offence. Nanaimo fans hope the team is in full rebound mode after two 6-1 home losses to start December. It’s a pair with Cowichan and singles with Victoria, Alberni Valley and Prince George for the Clippers before the holidays.
The beat goes on for the Victoria Grizzlies with an 8 point lead at the top of the Island Division. GM Jackson Penny has brought in 6’5 defenseman Wade Epp who has a scholarship to Northern Michigan for next year. It appears that AP Teal Burns is now a regular in the lineup but Nick Buchanan is back on the AP list. The Grizzlies have won their last three in a row and have the Bulldogs twice and single games with the Clippers, Chiefs and Spruce Kings before Christmas. As far as the CJHL National Rankings go Victoria is 14th in the country right now and the Grizz also led all Island teams with 4 players selected to the All Star Game in Vernon. Geoff Courtnall’s crew made a big statement with a recent victory over the Powell River Kings and they’re showing all the signs they have the capability to earn their way to the RBC Cup.
Dan Marshall, the radio voice of the Nanaimo Clippers, will be blogging the BCHL's Island Division during the 2008/09 season. Check back often for Dan's insights and the latest news from Vancouver Island.
