The Warriors are, after all, the defending sa国际传媒 Hockey League and Royal Bank Cup national champions.
At 22-20-1-0, West Kelowna has had its share of difficulties this season, 22 points back of the 30-10-3-4 Grizzlies. The Warriors are coming off two straight losses, 2-1 and 4-2, respectively, to solid clubs in Vernon and Penticton, but had won 10 of their previous 13 outings.
鈥淭hey had been real hot 鈥� their last 10 games have been very good and even their last 15 or 20,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a very good hockey team and Rylan [Ferster] is a very good coach.
鈥淭hey won it all last year and there are guys left over from that. They鈥檙e a physical team and it should be a tough game. It鈥檚 a good division and they鈥檙e a team that is climbing and looking for that playoff position, so they鈥檙e dangerous.鈥�
The Grizzlies have now won three straight after a stretch of four losses in six games and will close out the month with tonight鈥檚 game and a trip back to Port Alberni on Saturday, where they beat the Bulldogs 5-3 on Wednesday.
鈥淲e played two good periods there,鈥� said Didmon. 鈥淭he second was difficult, just when you thought they were down and out, they came back hard and it was a switch back in the second period and we were on our heels.
鈥淎ll it took was for them to tie it for us to wake up. Our third period was excellent with our forecheck and our puck management in the offensive zone. Then we kept it simple in our defensive zone.鈥�
Captain Cody Van Lierop successfully returned and made his presence felt immediately.
鈥淐ody was good. A big hit the first shift, he cleared the puck off the hit and we went down and scored right away,鈥� said Didmon. 鈥淩ight away he just showed he was healthy and 100 per cent.鈥�
Following this month, the Grizzlies then only have nine more games to go in February, including four at home. They will face Penticton and Nanaimo twice, West Kelowna again, Powell River, Salmon Arm, Merritt and Vernon to close out the regular season.
Wenatchee, at 35-7-4-0, is likely uncatchable, unless the roof caves in on the Wild. The Chilliwack Chiefs and Grizzlies are seven points back, although the Chiefs have a game in hand on Victoria. Penticton is a point back, but the Vees have a game in hand on the Grizzlies.
IN THE DEN: Jamie Rome is expected back tonight for Victoria after appearing in the CJHL Prospects Game. T.J. Friedmann will also be a game-time decision. 鈥� Tonight鈥檚 game will be the last opportunity to wear the team鈥檚 third jersey that honours the Wounded Warriors.
