2009-2010 season series:
Sept 6th 1-0 Powell River win
Sept 29th 6-4 Victoria win
Nov 7th 4-3 OT Victoria win
Dec 12th 4-3 OT Powell River win
Feb 16th 4-2 Powell River win
Feb 19th 9-2 Victoria win
Powell River's record: 3-2-1
Victoria's record 3-2-1
2010-2011 season series:
Sept 17th Victoria @ Powell River
Sept 18th Powell River @ Victoria
Oct 2nd Powell River @ Victoria
Dec 18th Victoria @ Powell River
Jan 15th Powell River @ Victoria
Jan 30th Victoria @ Powell River
The Victoria Grizzlies come into the weekend with one win under their belt after a season opening 6-5 OT win against Coquitlam at the Bear Mountain Arena one week ago. The Grizz' had leads of 3-1 and 4-2 in that hockey game before a wild third period and 4-on-4 session. Saving the two points for Victoria was new comer, Ryan Stanimir's goal at 4:43 of overtime. Some might read into that game and say this team is purely just offense and will have to score them selves out of trouble. I believe the jury is still out on that.
Vic Gervais and company have quietly gone about assembling a solid team in the provincial capital. They return 9 members from last years squad, including newly anointed captain, Jake Baker. Baker who came to the island via a trade with Merritt will look to log a big chunk of ice-time and you can count on him playing in every situation possible. Flanking him on the back end are returnee's Nick Buchanan, Sean Robertson and Scott Milnthorpe. The Grizzlies have a nice blend of youth and experience lining up on the blue-line this season. Upfront, this team could pose quite the threat.
Only 5 players from one season ago are back in the top 12 this season. Branden Fagerheim who came over from Nanaimo in a mid season trade will look to be one of the go to scorers for Gervais club. Also being asked to put more pucks into the net is Cornell bound, Madison Dias and Joel Lowry. Dylan Nowakowski will surely have to add more to his 33 points one season ago, which were strong numbers for his rookie season. however, not all the pressure will be on this core, they will be accompanied by a strong recruiting class.
Coming into help shoulder the offensive load is prized recruits David Morley, Ryan Stanimir along with rookies Evan Richardson, Chase Paylor and Mike Colantoe. Morley comes from the Aurora Tigers of the OJAHL where he finished second in league scoring last year, hhowever he won't be in the line-up for at least tonight's game. Stanimir joins his 5th BCHL team, after a successfull 19 year-old season in Williams Lake. The native of West Vancouver put up 54 points in 57 games on a weaker Timberwolves team.
Evan Richardson, as a 16 year-old I will add, will centre the top line of the Grizz attack. The former North Island Silvertip collected 73 points in just 37 games in the BCMMHL last year. Paylor comes to Victoria after spending parts of 4 seasons in the Edge Hockey Academy out of Calgary. All that Colantoe did was lead his Peninsula Panthers in playoff scoring and a second place finish at the Cycle Taylor Cup in April.
The Grizzlies biggest off-season move, in my opinion, was the acquisition of 20 year-old goaltender, Matt Ginn. The native of Lindsay, Ontario, played for his hometown Muskies last season. In 34 games he picked up 18 wins and sported a goals against just above three.
The move allows the team to address an issue that wasn't really resolved early last season, a clear cut number one. Look for Ginn to have the lions share of starts in goal and be spelled off by rookie back-up and local boy, Tanner McGaw.
Kent Lewis and his staff will make sure the team will know the importance of divisional games, no matter how early in the season. The consensus from last Saturday's loss was two points squandered to a divisional foe. This team will be looking to regain their home dominance that they had one season ago. A home record that was tied for 2nd best in the BCHL, and turned the Hap into one of the toughest places to play.
Also the team will need to be more disciplined and stay away from the penalty box. Yes the penalty-kill has been good thus far, however, eventually you are going to get burned when taking too many penalties. The Kings are a perfect 9/9 on the penalty kill, tied for first with Victoria and Prince George. Also more offensive production from lines 2-4 will need to get going.
So far, the top line of Niddery, Garbowsky and Schuler have scored all but one goal for the Kings so far. The season is young, and it's too early to even worry about production from the other lines. When you have fresh faces and veterans playing with new line mates, chemistry won't happen over night, but over time.
The back end has looked great at times and, well, average at times. However, the depth and talent from one through six is arguably the best in the league. I don't think King fans have anything to worry about.
Mike Garteig is in the net tonight and will most likely go again tomorrow with Maguire on Sunday.
Lines and Scratches closer to game time.
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