Nanaimo Clippers (29-16-1-1) @ Victoria Grizzlies (27-21-0-0)
Head to head (season series): 1-3-0-0 – Tonight’s meeting between the Grizzlies and the Clippers will be the fifth meeting between the teams this season. After winning the first game between the teams this year, the Clippers have been a tough matchup for the Grizzlies, winning the next three. Look for the Grizzlies to push back and get back in the win column against Nanaimo in their tilt tonight.
Players to watch:
Grizzlies: Ellis Rickwood – Team captain and second year forward Rickwood has continued to soar up the league scoring race as he currently sits in a tie for second 73 points in 45 games. He is coming into tonight’s game riding a 9 game point streak where he has accumulated a total of 18 points. Watch for Rickwood to stay hot coming into tonight’s game.
Clippers: Max Itagaki – The Clippers forward has slowed down a bit on the score sheet as of late, but is still having a very strong season putting up the points. In his last game against the Grizzlies, Itagaki had 4 goals to lead his team to a 7-5 victory. He has 51 points in 48 games so far on the season.
Stat Leaders:
Grizzlies:
Goals: Matthew Wood – 42
Assists: Ellis Rickwood – 55
Points: Matthew Wood – 79
Clippers:
Goals: Sean Donaldson – 31
Assists: Sean Donaldson, Tristan Fraser – 31
Points: Sean Donaldson – 62
Special teams:
Powerplay:
Grizzlies – 22.9%
Clippers– 21.4%
Penalty Kill:
Grizzlies- 81.4%
Clippers – 82.1 %
