Almost Like Playoffs
The two biggest weekends this season for the Victoria Grizzlies and Nanaimo Clippers are November 21/22nd and November 28/29th.
On those dates, the two island rivals will play four consecutive games with first place in the division quite likely hanging in the balance. Victoria enters the set with a five-point lead, however the Clippers have three games in hand. Let’s look at a tale of the tape as the series begins.
VICTORIA GRIZZLIES:
Record: 18-7-0-2 – 38 pts (1st)
vs Nanaimo 2-1 (6-3W, 5-3L, 2-1W)
Last 10 – 6-3-0-1
Goals For – 105
Goals Against – 75
Top Scorer – Derek Lee – 29pts
Power Play 21.55% (5th)
Penalty Kill 86.03% (3rd)
Home Record 10-2-0-0
Away Record 8-5-0-2
NCAA Bound:
Derek Lee (Wisconsin)
Cam Reid (New Hampshire)
NANAIMO CLIPPERS:
Record: 15-6-0-3 – 33 pts (2nd)
vs Victoria 1-2 (6-3L, 5-3W, 2-1L)
Last 10 – 6-3-0-1
Goals For – 87
Goals Against – 73
Top Scorer – Russell Goodman – 23pts
Power Play 16.35% (12th)
Penalty Kill 84.62% (5th)
Home Record 7-4-0-3
Away Record 8-2-0-1
NCAA Bound:
Russell Goodman (Colorado College)
Eric Filiou (UMass @ Amherst)
Ronnie Smith (Union College)
Anders Franzon (Northeastern)
Kurtis Bartliff (Colgate)
Victoria comes in with the edge in most categories, but I find it hard to pick any other result than 2-2 for these teams in the next four games. Although I’m betting on an overtime point being tossed in somewhere so I think someone will some out with an extra point or two. Seeing all four of these games live will be a real treat and I have to admit if it was any other two teams playing four in a row I’d say it’s too much – but with these two rivals I can’t wait!
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.
