Coming off a must-win on Thursday, the Victoria Grizzlies are hoping to carry that momentum into tonight’s matchup at The Q Centre against the Nanaimo Clippers.
The two points would mean a successful conclusion to 2015, since the Grizzlies will not be returning to action until Jan. 8, enjoying an unheard of 19-day Christmas break.
The Grizzlies — who are coming off an impressive 7-0 victory in Port Alberni on Thursday — will also have the benefit of waiting on the Clippers, who played at home Friday night to the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Division-leading Nanaimo had won 10 straight to open up a comfortable lead in the division before losing two consecutive prior to Friday night’s game. Included in that winning streak, was a 2-1 overtime victory over the Grizzlies on Dec. 1 at The Q Centre.
Nanaimo has defeated the Grizzlies all five times they have met this B.C. Hockey League season, outscoring Victoria 21-10.
“It would be good to get a win against them. They are the only team we have not beaten in the division and we feel like we have something to prove,” said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon. “We proved we can compete against them the last time we met.
“We want to prove to our division that we are capable of beating anyone,” added Didmon, who also does not want to go into the lengthy break with a lingering loss.
“You’re only as good as your last game and we don’t want to sit on that for two weeks.”
Chris Dodero was the Clippers’ hero in the last meeting between the two teams, scoring at 1:50 of the second overtime period. After a 1-1 tie in the opening period the Clippers and Grizzlies went goal-less for 48 minutes and 21 seconds in that outing.
Nanaimo also defeated Victoria 5-2 on Nov. 27 at The Q Centre courtesy of a three-point night from Sheldon Rempal, who leads the BCHL in points.
Having played 38 games by tonight’s end, the Grizzlies will return Jan. 8 to face Powell River on that Friday night and then entertain Langley on Jan. 10, which is the league trade deadline day.
Victoria will play 11 times in January, including an exhibition game against Red Bull Salzburg, an U-20 club from Austria. Of the 10 regular-season games that month, it’s an even split on the road and at home. It includes a long jaunt to Prince George, Chilliwack and Surrey in a three-day stretch Jan. 15-17.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
