Last night’s game was a fitting start to the season. You saw some good defence, some explosive offence, and solid goaltending. Unfortunately you also saw the foot come off the accelerator in the 3rd, and Nanaimo (to their credit) pouring on the pressure to send it to overtime. Thankfully for the home town fans, Matt Scarth’s double overtime winner sent them home happy. Here’s a preview for tonight’s contest:
What’s What for the Kings:
The lineup could look a little different tonight. James Neil left the game in the 1st period after a hit to the head. The end result to that looks like it was just a cut on the lip, however the coaches will ensure Neil is 100% tonight before he is allowed to play. Jordan Benton was the unlucky one last night, as he watched from the stands. I would imagine he may play tonight, but I haven’t heard anything either way and if that will be the case, and/or who would make way for him.
Kent Lewis said on radio mid week that Jamie Phillips would start in net for Saturday’s game, but again, nothing is for sure. We will often find out the same time the fans do with cases like these, as the coaches like to keep things pretty close to their chest.
What’s What for the Clippers?
Heartbreak aside, the Clippers can be very happy with the final 20 minutes they played. I thought they started very slow and were behind the 8-ball from the beginning, but they earned the comeback and will take 1 point for their efforts. No glaring injuries from last night’s game for the team, so we might see the same lineup for the team tonight, as we did 24 hours ago.
Goaltender Billy Faust’s roaming from the crease almost cost the team on a few occasions and it will be interesting to see if he starts tonight, or the Clippers split the weekend between the pipes. I thought overall, Faust was solid, and will be angry at himself over the Schuler goal at the start of the 2nd.
What’s on the broadcast?
Tonight we will take a look at the BC Major Midget League and its opening weekend. The Head Coach of the Cariboo Cougars, Trevor Sprague will join us in the 1st intermission. In the 2nd, GM/Head Coach of the Clippers Mike Vanderkamp will be our guest, and we will take all things Cippers, including a number of the changes in the off season.
We will also give away two tickets to the game next Friday against Langley with our trivia question! You can join Andy and myself with the call from 7:15 onwards on 95.7 SunFM or online at BCHL.ca.
