With Fraser River all but assured of finishing in top spot, the fight is on to determine who will avoid playing them twice as the FHL push to the playoffs heated up in the last February games.
Blue Collar currently holds down the fourth and final spot, but only assumes that position because of fewer victories than Serenity, who they are knotted in the point department with.
Knowing full well they control their own destiny, BCS upset the rascally rabbit Fraser River squad 6-5, thanks to the return of their franchise player rear guard Brad (Like a good) Neighbour, who earned three assists while solidifying a D-core that has struggled all year. Collecting another hat trick was Blue Collar sniper Kevin (Hustler) Hesselgrave, whose third tally turned out to be the winner. Scoring his first of the season for his beloved BCS was (Marky) Mark Courtney as Brian (The Dominator) Domeris and Glen (The Chemist) Boudreau both added singletons to go with an assist. Replying for the Chevy Crew who fought back from a 5-2 deficit was Jarett (Stoll) Dumas who scored twice, Randy (Travis) Crofts and Ian (Heartbreaker) Hannah with a goal and assist each, as Bruce (Turn him lose) Broughton unleashed his patented howitzer for his second mesh rippler of the campaign.
The other contest featured some breathtaking goal tending in the first half, as Serenity and Bear were deadlocked at goose eggs before the Builders capitalized on a couple of bounces enroute to the three-nil victory. Earning the shutout was (Have trapper will travel) net-minder Darryl (The Monster) McManus who, despite giving up some juicy rebounds, stifled any Bear second chances. Continuing his domination of Bear, whose candy cane uni’s must bring him to his happy place, was Lee (Nitro) Naeth who broke the stalemate with a wrap around after a shot careened off the glass. (Nitro) wasn’t done there, as he took advantage of what appeared to be an off-side loose puck and gift wrapped Doug (Big) Mack’s ninth of the season, which he made look easy thanks to several seasons of Yorston Street Hockey practice. Also scoring for the Builders was Rob (The Hammer) Lentz, who has flourished on the wing this season after several years on the blue-line.
Steve Dodge is a defensive winger with Bear Communications and an Observer contributor.
