While most of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is focused on this Sunday’s All-Star and Prospects games in Courtenay, Comox Valley Glacier Kings coach Jim MacLean wants his team to stay focused on the two league games they have prior to the talent showcases.
First up are the Oceanside Generals in a 7:30 p.m. start tonight at Sports Centre Arena No. 1. The two teams have incurred a plethora of game suspensions and fines in previous heated meetings this season, but when asked if he expected more fireworks tonight, MacLean said, “I would hope not.”
However, he noted the Glacier Kings have beaten the Generals in all seven previous meetings, which should give them extra incentive to stick to hockey and eschew the sin bin in their final regular season get-together.
“They want to establish themselves as a team to take notice of,” MacLean said of why Oceanside should be more interested in posting a ‘W’ rather than more PiMs.
On Saturday the Yetis are at Kerry Park to play the Islanders for the seventh time this year. “The last time we played them here it was a close game. We were down 2-0 but won 3-2,” MacLean said, adding this is an important game for his team. “Nobody wants to lose at this time of year. We’ve got to reassert ourselves.”
Although the snow earlier this week limited the number of players able to attend practice, MacLean said the Glacier Kings have a full complement of players, with one more player card available. He said the team is signing forward Chris West, who recently requested his release from the Campbell River Storm. The 19-year-old from Oakland, CA. had three points (1g, 2a) in 10 games with the Storm. “He asked us for a tryout,” MacLean said.
On Sunday, MacLean and his coaching staff will be busy when the Glacier Kings host the All-Star and Prospects games, as they will be behind the bench for both contests.
The Prospects play at 1:30 p.m. with the skills competition at 3:45 p.m. and the All-Star game at 4:30 p.m. All the action is at Sports Centre Arena No. 1. There is also a banquet at the Florence Filberg Centre with doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets for all events are available by calling 250-334-4709 or e-mailing gkings@island.net.
The North Island division leading Glacier Kings have six All-Stars and five Prospects in action. The North All-Stars include Colton Ruthven, James Bryant, Jack Kennelly, Kelin Hrycuik, Mike Graham and Cameron Waddington. The North Prospects will feature Brian Rideout, Joe Ftoma, Cole Schneider, Tyson Rennie and Mitch Ball.
Ball and Hrycuik will represent the host team in the skills competition, which is scheduled to include a shootout, rapid fire and speed skating events.
ICE CHIPS As of Jan. 9, based on winning percentage, the Glaciers Kings were eighth of 36 Jr. B teams in the VIJHL, KIJHL and PIJHL … the Victoria Cougars ranked third …
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com
