While the race for first place overall in the B.C. Hockey League has turned into a bit of a turtle derby between the Penticton Vees and Victoria Grizzlies, the Surrey Eagles have swooped into the picture.
Clutching their talons into a share of top spot with their two competitors, the Eagles are tied with the two at 75 points with two regular-season games to go for all three clubs.
Surrey has a home-and-home with Coquitlam, the weaker sister of the Mainland Division. Penticton travels to Vernon and Trail, while the Grizzlies entertain tough West Kelowna and Alberni Valley sides.
For Penticton and Victoria, it’s all been about missed opportunities the last few weeks. The defending champion Vees have two wins, two losses and two overtime losses in their last six. Victoria, meanwhile, is mired in a four-game winless skid in which its lost once in regulation and three straight in overtime. Over the Grizzlies’ last six you can add a win and a loss to that mix.
In their last 10 games, Penticton is 5-3-0-2, Victoria 3-3-0-4 and Surrey a solid 7-1-1-1.
“It was there two weeks ago for one of those teams. Surrey has been the most consistent team in February and March, and here they are sitting tied for first and they may have, not the weakest schedule, but they’re playing a team they should probably beat,” said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Bill Bestwick.
“I’m sure all three teams are kicking themselves in the butt right now, thinking they could be ahead by quite a few points. Whoever wins their next two should have it,” added Grizzlies captain Zach Urban, who will miss tonight’s date with West Kelowna at 7:15 at Bear Mountain Arena due to personal reasons.
Leo Fitzgerald, Jaden Schmeisser and Pearce Eviston will also likely be held out, joining D.J. Jones (who was named a BCHL second-team all-star on Wednesday) and Gerry Fitzgerald on the sidelines, the latter gone for the year.
“These two have to be our best games of the season, leading us into the playoffs to show some kind of statement,” said Urban.
“No one’s happy dropping four in a row, but every team goes through a slump, somewhat, during the season. I don’t really think we’ve had one. It’s just going to take one good game, effort and battle to get out of it, get a win and go from there.”
It’s been a struggle, especially with the injuries, and the Grizz will not have the benefit of calling up affiliated players as the South Island Royals are in Prince George and the Victoria Cougars and Saanich Braves are in playoffs.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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