After going through the rigours of an entire hockey season, a lot will depend on the very last game.
The Nanaimo Clippers meet the Victoria Grizzlies tonight (Feb. 19) down the Malahat. As long as the Clips defeated the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night after press time, then there are huge stakes for tonight’s matchup.
If the Clippers beat the Grizzlies in regulation time, they get fourth place and home-ice advantage in the playoffs against Victoria. If the Clips beat the Grizzlies in regulation and the Langley Chiefs lose to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, then Nanaimo vaults all the way to third place and a first-round matchup with Alberni.
The playoffs don’t start until Friday (Feb. 25), so the Clippers may as well empty the tanks, said player Brett Hartskamp.
“It’s the last game of the year. We’ll lay it all out on the line,” he said.
GAME ON … The Clippers and Grizzlies are slated to face off tonight at 7:15 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com