The Nanaimo Clippers are starting to get on a hot streak, and they’re about to get another spark.
Team captain Colton Cyr is ready to finally make his season debut.
Cyr has missed the first month and a half with a broken jaw he suffered in pre-season, but he’s expected to be in the lineup on Friday (Oct. 22) when the Clippers face the Cowichan Valley Capitals at Frank Crane Arena.
“It was weird coming [to practice] knowing I’m probably in the lineup for next game,” Cyr said. “It’s been six months since I played a competitive game.”
Obviously, cheering his team from the stands wasn’t the plan when Cyr was named captain in the off-season. In the past he’d always considered himself a lead-by-example kind of guy. Ironically, it took getting his jaw wired shut for him to become a vocal leader.
“As a hockey player the most you can do is on the ice,” he said. “It’s hard to try and be a leader when you’re not out there yourself, because when you’re on the bench, it’s a totally different game than the game that you’re watching.”
Cyr said he tried to use his time on the sidelines as a learning experience, to try to see the game from different angles.
“From watching the game lots I still read the plays and I still understand what’s going to happen in the game,” he said.
“I learned a lot about my teammates and what they’re willing to bring to the game, and myself, too, and what I have to do when I come back.”
It just so happens that his comeback will come against the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Clippers play three straight against the Caps – after Friday’s matchup in Nanaimo comes a rematch the next night in Duncan, then another game Oct. 27, also at Duncan's Big Stick.
“There’s not a team that I hate more than Cowichan,” Cyr said. “As far as energy goes, I love playing in Cowichan; I love playing here against Cowichan.”
GAME ON… The Clips and Caps face off Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then play Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Duncan.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com