Cleve Dheensaw
The prospect of impending elimination has a feel all its own in sports.
“The guys know the situation and that they are playing for their season,” said Victoria Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.
The fourth-seed Langley Rivermen lead the best-of-seven opening-round B.C. Hockey League Coastal Conference playoff series 3-1 against the fifth-seed Grizzlies heading into Game 5 tonight at George Preston Recreation Centre. The sixth game, if required, would be Saturday night at The Q Centre.
The Victoria power play suddenly faded in going 0-7 in two home losses this week. A big part of that equation were the timely saves by Langley goaltender Ajeet Gundarah, who is showing why he was a selection for the BCHL top prospects game before it was cancelled due to the pandemic in January.
“Our power play started out well in the series [three goals in two games in Langley] and we still got our looks at home. Their goalie was good and it’s just a matter of cashing in,” said Didmon.
In sweeping both away games this week at The Q Centre, the Rivermen held in check Matthew Wood. The BCHL MVP and top rookie finalist, projected by many as between the fifth to 10th overall selection in the 2023 NHL draft, scored twice in the split in Langley before being blanked at home.
“Matthew played well and had his chances but their goaltender made the stops on him,” said Didmon.
The Grizzlies have been fighting through key injuries — defencemen Clark Hiebert, Eli Barnett and Michael Adamek all missed Game 4 — but in elimination situations it’s pointless to dwell on who isn’t there, and simply get the most out of who is dressed.
