Just as win streaks sometimes mask mistakes, a losing streak can hide some of the things that go right.
The Nanaimo Clippers haven’t been good enough to win in their past six games, but they’ve been good enough to know they’re close to breaking through.
“I think we’re definitely close,” said Ben Solin, Clippers forward. “The work ethic’s there and the process is coming. It’s a long season and you’re going to have stretches like this.”
Nanaimo had a three-games-in-three-nights road trip this past weekend and came up with just one point out of a possible six.
“We were able to work hard, but not for a complete 60 minutes,” said Will LeNeave, Clippers forward. “I think some mental mistakes ended up causing a lot of trouble for us. We’re going to have to keep learning to find ways to work around that and work through it and just stick to the systems.”
LeNeave said adversity will come and go and through wins or losses, a team needs to build off the good things. He said the Clippers are continuing to strengthen their bond.
“We’ve just got to keep building trust in each other and working for the guy next to you and that in and of itself will be a motivator for us,” LeNeave said.
Solin said the Clippers’ veterans have done a good job keeping the guys in the room focused.
He thinks the scoring will come around sooner than later based on what he’s seeing.
“Especially offensively, we’re getting a lot of opportunities and a lot of chances and I think that’s something that once the gates open, all the water’s going to come in a flood,” he said.
Nanaimo is hoping the goals start coming immediately, as it’s preparing for a home-and-home series this weekend (Nov. 25-26) against the Victoria Grizzlies.
Solin said energy and attitude will be the most important factors at faceoff.
“I think that we just need to have that winning attitude, expecting to win and expecting to come out confident and expecting to contribute, every single line, every single player,” he said.
GAME ON … The Clippers and Grizzlies face off Friday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. The rematch is the next night at 7 p.m. at Victoria’s Q Centre.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com