After playing two of the league's lower-ranked teams, the Nanaimo Clippers know they need to be ready to step it up.
The Shipmen face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs tonight (Nov. 20) at Port Alberni's Weyerhaueser Arena.
"We've got to go up there with the mindset that it's going to be a battle," said Michael Olson, Clippers assistant coach. "We know that they're going to try and dictate the play with their physicality. We know that they're going to come at us very hard."
Andrew Gladiuk, Clippers alternate captain, said the Bulldogs always come out hitting and he knows his team has to match Alberni's intensity to be successful.
The Clippers will also need to play the body, he said, "and chip pucks and skate on them and make sure we're really strong on our sticks out there."
Olson said it might be useful for the players to think about what's on the line to help them get in the right frame of mind.
"It's knowing what's at stake and knowing where we are and knowing that we've got to start making a move here if we want to move up the standings," he said.
GAME ON … The Clippers and the Bulldogs play tonight (Nov. 20) at 7 p.m. at Weyerhaeuser Arena at Port Alberni … Nanaimo played the Merritt Centennials on Friday after press time … Next up for the Clips is a road contest on Wednesday (Nov. 24) against the Powell River Kings.
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