The still short-handed sa国际传媒 Hockey League leaders will play host to the Cowichan Valley Capitals tonight at 7:15 at Bear Mountain Arena before moving to The Stick in Duncan on Saturday. The week following, the Grizzlies will do it again against the Nanaimo Clippers.
A whopping 44 points separate the BCHL and Island Division-leading Grizzlies (33-11-0-6) from the Capitals, (11-31-1-5) but there will be no rolling over for anyone with just six regular-season games remaining for Victoria.
鈥淭he balance of our schedule is difficult and challenging for different reasons,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Bill Bestwick, who will still be without several starting players due to injuries, including Gerry Fitzgerald.
鈥淐owichan has played some of their best hockey in recent weeks. They鈥檙e playing hard, competing and they want to be spoilers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting now, getting down to the short strokes,鈥� added Bestwick, who may get Mark McLellan and Myles Fitzgerald back at some point this weekend.
And he knows the Caps will be fired up.
鈥淭hose kids have a lot of pride and their new coaching staff is wanting to make a name for itself,鈥� said Bestwick. 鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 want to beat the top team in the division?鈥�
One member of the Grizzlies who will be more than prepared is former Capitals forward Keyler Bruce, who was picked up at the trade deadline. This will be his first chance to suit up against his former team.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been an integral part of our scheme,鈥� Bestwick said of Bruce, who was suspended the last time these teams met. 鈥淢oving forward, you鈥檒l find him playing in a much elevated role. He鈥檚 proven to be a smart, intelligent player.鈥�
Bruce has plenty of grit and that will be required come playoff time.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what鈥檚 appealing,鈥� said Bestwick. 鈥淎s an opponent, you hated playing against him and as a teammate you love having him on your team.鈥�
Bestwick will split goaltending duties with Mike Stiliadis likely to go tonight and Brady Rouleau on Saturday at 7 p.m.
