With one series win under their belt against a hungry opponent, the Victoria Grizzlies are preparing for their next big challenge in the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.
Having eliminated the Nanaimo Clippers four games to one with a 4-2 win last Friday at home, the Grizzlies return to The Q Centre for games 1 and 2 of the Island Division final this Friday and Saturday night (7 p.m.) against the Powell River Kings.
“To start the season the whole division knew that Powell River was the team to beat,” said Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon. “We had a better regular season, but they were right there the whole way through. They’ve got a ton of playoff experience on that team, even the guys that they picked up.”
In a change to what was originally believed to be the schedule – three straight games in Powell River – the Kings will host games 3 and 4 next Monday and Tuesday, with game 5, if necessary, back in Colwood next Thursday (March 23). Subsequent games would happen March 25 in Powell Rover and March 27 at The Q Centre.
Grizzlies blueliner Jake Stevens, who put an exclamation point on his naming as the BCHL’s top defenceman by scoring three times in last Friday’s win, said he’s excited about battling the Kings.
“It’s kind of what we’ve been waiting for all year,” he said. “They’re a really good team; they beefed up at the trade deadline … It’s nice that we get to start out here.”
With three players among the top 10 in scoring in the BCHL (Jonny Evans, Tristan Mullin and Cam Donaldson), the Kings have plenty of firepower, Stevens noted.
“They’re definitely a threat. They’re fast, they’re skilled and they move the puck really well. That whole team is really dangerous on the rush, they’re able to make plays if they’re able to get on that rush. It’s going to be tough, but I think we can do it.”
The Kings will enter the second round with a little more rest than the Grizzlies, having swept the Cowichan Valley Capitals four straight in the other Island semifinal. A 4-3 win last Wednesday night in Duncan gave Powell River the series victory.
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