Vees provide stern test for Grizzlies
There is little doubt that the Penticton Vees are the measuring stick for what teams aspire to be in the B.C. Hockey League.
Always at or near the top of the standings, the Vees make an appearance at The Q Centre this afternoon at 2, and this could be the best chance the Victoria Grizzlies get to knock off the defending Fred Page Cup champions.
The Vees — who have won two of the last three BCHL titles and four of the last 10, with a runnerup finish for good measure — will be playing their third game in less than three days after stops in Powell River and Cowichan Valley.
“They obviously have a bunch of great recruiters and a good coach over there,” Grizzlies forward Jamie Rome said of the Vees, who were 30-9-2-3 before Saturday night’s game in Duncan. “They play a very good system and they stick to that. Everybody buys into their game plan and that’s where they get their success from.”
The 24-16-4-3 Grizzlies had Saturday off after managing a tie against Nanaimo on Friday, so they should be fresh.
“They’re strong and they’re a fun club to play, too,” Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon said of the high-flying Vees.
“You can measure yourself as a hockey club by playing them and that’s what we’re going to see, where we’re at.
“We were right with them last time, but we didn’t get the win,” Didmon said of a 4-2 loss in mid-October. “This time, we’d like to get the two points and even up that series.”
The Grizzlies were badly outshot 39-21 the first time around as goalie Zack Rose was kept busy at the South Okanagan Events Centre, from which the Vees are temporarily kicked out while the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is in town.
Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play in that first meeting and special teams could make a difference today.
What the Grizzlies will likely encounter is the usual hard-nosed defensive hockey for which GM and head coach Fred Harbinson is known.
“He’s done a great job there. He’s been there a good amount of time and built a really good foundation,” Didmon said. “It’s a great place for any hockey player to go play. You really can’t go wrong with this league and they’ve been able to go out and accumulate that talent. They play it a certain way, they always have and it’s a good way to play.”
Grizzlies defenceman Drayson Pears could return to action after a lengthy injury. “We’ve taken our time with him,” Didmon said. “We’re hoping that we still have a big season ahead of us here. We want to make sure he’s ready, but he’s going to be a huge boost when we do get him.”
Victoria travels to Nanaimo on Wednesday.