This road trip will tell the Shipmen a lot about where they stand in their division.
The Nanaimo Clippers (8-8-0-1) play three games in three days this coming weekend, playing the Powell River Kings on Friday (Nov. 1) and Saturday before taking on the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Sunday.
The Kings (13-2-0-1) are first in the Island Division – and the B.C. Hockey League – and the Caps (10-9-0-1) sit second on the Island.
“As long as we play our game, we can play with anybody,” said Korey Morgan, Clippers forward. “When we’re on, we’re really on and everybody’s going.”
The Clips have shown they can skate with the league’s elite.
“You’ve really got to be ready when you’re playing the top team like that,” Morgan said. “I think we’re really pumped up to play with good teams.”
The Clippers and Kings played each other early this season, a game that the Clippers led in the third period before falling 6-4.
“The last time we played them it was a close game. They scored mostly on our mistakes,” said Devin Brosseau, an alternate captain on the Clippers. “So we’re going to try to play mistake-free hockey and just keep our work ethic going.”
It should be simple enough for the Shipmen to find motivation, he said.
“They’re first in the BCHL, they’re second in the country, so obviously you’re kind of pumped,” said Brosseau. “You want to beat them; you want to bring them back to earth.”
Next home action for the Clippers isn’t until Nov. 8.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com