Junior hockey careers can be fleeting, but team captain Spencer Hewson is one guy who’s been a constant on the Clippers.
At last Friday’s contest against the Powell River Kings at Frank Crane Arena, Hewson was honoured for playing in his 200th B.C. Hockey League game.
Earlier in the season he had noticed the milestone was approaching but had kind of forgotten about it until he was reminded earlier this month.
“It was nice that the organization recognized it; that felt good to get the tip of the hat from the organization,” he said. “And now it’s kind of behind us and we’ll get back to [trying to win games].”
Clippers will play important games against Bulldogs
He and his Nanaimo Clippers are now preparing for what shape up as two of the most important games of the BCHL season this weekend (Jan. 20-21).
The fourth-place Clips play a home-and-home series against the fifth-place Alberni Valley Bulldogs, with the teams separated by just one point in the standings in the race for the Island Division’s final playoff berth.
“At different points in the year, different games feel like the biggest game,” said Hewson. “But I think this one is one that at the end of the year, in hindsight when you look back, this weekend will be the biggest weekend of the year for us.”
He said normally the Clippers don’t dwell on the standings, but they’re keeping a closer eye on things at this time of year.
The Shipmen are coming off an 8-0 home-ice loss at the hands of the Powell River Kings that Hewson said was “embarrassing,” but he said players will learn from it, put it behind them and be focused on the next game.
“It’s making sure that you’re playing the structure, making sure you’re winning your one-on-one battles and at the end of the day, if you do those things, then you should come out victorious,” Hewson said.
GAME ON … The Clippers and Bulldogs play Friday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then play a rematch Saturday at 7 p.m. at Port Alberni’s Weyerhaeuser Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
