JOCK TALK: Hockey season heats up

Columnist Colin Gall takes us around the rinks with West Shore sports teams

The Victoria Grizzlies kick off the week in hockey when they host the Powell River Kings in a doubleheader this weekend. Puck drops at 7 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 14) at The Q Centre followed by a Sunday face-off at 1 p.m. The Grizzlies continue at home on Thursday, Jan. 19, when Cowichan Valley comes to Colwood. Game time is at 7 p.m. Visit victoriagrizzlies.com for ticket details.

Follow your Westshore Wolves on the road this week when the local boys play the Saanich Braves on Friday (Jan. 13) at 6:30 p.m. at Pearkes Rec Centre.

Returning home, the Wolves host the Campbell River Storm at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The Wolves finish their week up Island, playing the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Saturday, Jan. 21 before starting the following week at home Wednesday, Jan. 25.

With just two more weekends in regular season play, the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies Midget Tier 1 hockey squad is on the road to the Comox Valley and Cowichan Valley this weekend, before heading to Port Alberni next Saturday.

The Victoria Royals are back at home for two games this week before a five-game road trip. The Royals are on home ice at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Friday night (Jan. 13), hosting the Kelowna Rockets at 7:05 p.m.

On Saturday the boys in blue take on the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7:05 p.m. at the Save-on Centre. Following a five-game road trip, the Royals’ next home game is Jan. 28.

Hockey fans can keep the action going with the Greater Victoria Minor Ball Hockey League, with divisions for players up to age 18. Register by Jan. 15; assessments are scheduled to start Feb. 20.

Newcomers are invited to try ball hockey for free this Sunday at Eagle Ridge Centre on Langford Parkway. From 10 to 11 a.m., five and six year olds are on the floor, while prospective players aged seven and eight play from 11 a.m. to noon. Players are asked to bring a hockey helmet with cage, hockey gloves, a hockey stick and soccer type shin guards. Send an email om@vmbh.ca to RSVP and state whether your player needs to borrow any equipment.

Juan de Fuca Minor Lacrosse registration is underway. Check it out online at jdflacrosse.com or visit Westshore Town Centre this Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Remember to bring your birth certificate and B.C. Care Card. Rep team tryouts start later this month at Eagle Ridge.

In senior boys’ high school basketball, the Belmont Bulldogs have next week off from Div. 1 league play, but the Royal Bay Ravens return to Div. 2 hardwood play Tuesday, Jan. 17 when they play at Glenlyon Norfolk School at 7:30 p.m. The Colwood squad continues Jan. 19 when they host St. Andrews at 7:30 p.m.

In senior girls’ basketball, Belmont heads to Mt. Douglas for a Tuesday, Jan. 17 game starting at 5:45 p.m.

Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.

 

Goldstream News Gazette