The Nanaimo Clippers have put together some of their most consistent hockey of the season, and think they can keep it up.
The city’s B.C. Hockey League team (10-6-0-2), winners of four of its last five, has two more winnable games Friday and Saturday (Nov. 9-10) against the last-placed Cowichan Valley Capitals (5-12-0-1).
“When you think about Cowichan, you think about a hard-working team, high-energy,” said Kyle Kramer, Clippers alternate captain. “What it comes down to is we’re just going to have to outwork them, just like any other game.”
The Clips have already played the Caps twice this year and won both times, though both were one-goal games.
“We know what to expect from them,” said Josh Bryan, also an alternate captain on the Clippers. “They’re a hard-working team, a lot like us.”
He said one of the keys will be for his team’s forwards to work the puck down low in the corners and try to win the puck battles in those areas of the ice.
“That’s the key against them, you’ve got to outbattle them because they’re going to work hard no matter what,” Bryan said. “And if we battle just as hard or harder than they do, our skill’s going to take over and we’re going to be able to beat them.”
Prior to tonight's puck drop there will be a ceremony in honour of Remembrance Day.
“Honouring this day is incredibly important to us and our fans can look forward to a very special pregame ceremony, “ said Jen Kennedy, the team's director of sales and marketing,
Alumnus Brent Shepheard will also be honoured at the game as part of the club's 40th anniversary season festivities. Shepheard played 194 games in the orange and black, more than any other Clipper.
Fans are asked to bring clothing donations to tonight's game in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Vancouver Island. The first 100 people to donate will receive a ticket to the Clippers' Nov. 16 home game.
GAME ON … The Clippers and Capitals are scheduled to face off tonight (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. The rematch is Saturday at 7 p.m. at Duncan's Island Saving Centre.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com