The Nanaimo Clippers will be in the championship hunt next spring. That much is certain, now, after the team was awarded a host berth in the Canadian Junior A Hockey League’s 2013 Western Canadian Championship.
But there’s still the matter, first, of the 2011-12 season, and to be in the championship hunt this year, the team must first climb into a playoff position.
The Clippers (17-15-0-7) sit fifth in the B.C. Hockey League’s Coastal Conference standings after losing their last game 2-1 in double overtime Friday to the first-placed Cowichan Valley Capitals.
They’ll have had a full week between games when they take the ice Friday (Jan. 20) against the Surrey Eagles. Clippers captain Trevor Fitzgerald said it’s too long a break.
“Nothing brings a team together like a game, like a win, especially, and that’s what we need,” he said.
The Clippers have a few new additions to the roster after this month’s trade deadline, so the week of practice will help in that regard.
“They’re very good players but I don’t think they’re completely jelled,” said Billy Faust, Clippers goalie. “They’re going to start fitting into the team even better and we’ll create some more offensive opportunities out of it.”
GAME ON … The Clippers and Eagles will face off Friday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com