A one-game week should do a world of good for the banged-up Victoria Grizzlies.
With just seven games remaining in the sa国际传媒 Hockey League and still three points up on Penticton (prior to Friday night鈥檚 play) for No. 1 overall, the Grizzlies took advantage of a bit of a respite in scheduling.
The Grizzlies 鈥� who have played two more games than Penticton 鈥� will entertain the Alberni Valley Bulldogs tonight at 7:15 at Bear Mountain Arena. That comes after a gruelling three-games in three-days scenario last weekend in which they suffered two losses, but more importantly more injuries.
Myles Fitzgerald, one of the league-leaders in points, is out for Victoria after suffering a cut and concussion-like symptoms. Blake Thompson was also injured, but is expected back.
Recent pickup Kade Pilton is slated to return from a virus that kept him out all of last week.
鈥淭his one-game weekend couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time for us,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Bill Bestwick. 鈥淲e do have seven left and we鈥檙e not in a position, like other teams, where they are playing for their playoff lives.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 be cautious at game time. We鈥檒l be cautious about who plays and who doesn鈥檛 if they鈥檙e in a situation where a rest would do them good.
鈥淏ut with the seven games left we still want to go in on a high note. I know this team has a huge compete level and I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l be fine.鈥�
The team 鈥� which this week dropped to No. 6 in the CJHL rankings from fourth 鈥� also remains without Gerry Fitzgerald, who could be out for some time to come yet with a nagging injury.
Victoria鈥檚 roster remains in constant change due to injuries, illness and suspensions, the latter of which have now ended.
After returning home Monday, the Grizzlies took that day and Tuesday off and had an optional skate on Wednesday before getting back to work Thursday.
It鈥檚 a tricky time in the season where teams want to keep the hammer down, but also don鈥檛 want to wear out the accelerator.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to get a lot of the away games over with,鈥� said defenceman Nolan DeJong, who has logged a lot of ice time. 鈥淲e want to make a statement here at home over the last few games and put our best foot forward going into the playoffs and get good habits going.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not the end of the world if a few guys miss a few games now, rather than a month from now,鈥� he added. 鈥淭his was a good break, this week.
鈥淭he coaches have done a good job managing us and seeing where we are and giving us the breaks physically and mentally when we needed it.鈥�
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