I thought I’d take a look at the final stretch run for the contending teams in the Coastal Conference. With every team around the 20 game to go mark, and the Coastal Conference oh-so-tight, it will come down to a last minute sprint for positioning in the top four.
Powell River Kings
Games Remaining: 18
Games At Home: 12
The Kings probably have the best schedule for the road home out of the other top five teams in the Coast. With the fewest games remaining, and the most at home (tied with the Clippers in 5th place), things are set up in the Kings favour. That’s not saying there aren’t some tricky dates left to come, no free points and lots of battles left with the likes of the Caps, Eagles, Express and Clippers.
The Kings still have 4 games left against the Grizzlies, and two against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, both teams that the Kings defeated this past weekend. 6 points are still up for grabs between the Kings and the Cowichan Valley Capitals, and those 6 points could very well settle 1st in the Coast. Of course other factors will determine that, namely the 3 games remaining against a Coquitlam side the Kings haven’t beaten this year, but the saving grace in that all three are at home. Throw in two more against the Eagles, also at home, and 3 road battles with the Clippers and that rounds out the season.
Wait, I’m forgetting something….oh yes, a home date with the Vernon Vipers. It will be the lone game that weekend for the Kings, February 25th, and may also be a make or break for the Vipers season as well. They are currently on the outside, looking in and need to make a big push to get past Chilliwack and Prince George.
The Kings have a total of 12 games remaining, against teams currently ranked 5th or higher in the standings of either conference (although 3 are against the 5th place Clippers and the other against the 5th place Vipers).
Here are the Kings rivals in the Coastal Conference:
| Cowichan Capitals Games Remaining: 19 Home Games: 9 Away Games: 10 Games vs Kings: 3 Games vs Top 5: 12 |
Surrey Eagles Games Remaining: 21 Home Games: 8 Away Games: 13 Games vs Kings: 2 Games vs Top 5: 9 |
Coquitlam Express Games Remaining: 21 Home Games: 9 Away Games: 12 Games vs Kings: 3 Games vs Top 5: 11 |
So what does this mean? Well nothing. There are 18 games remaining and the Kings need and want 36 points to hopefully bypass the Capitals in the standings. It all starts this weekend as the Kings take on the Capitals, with 4 points on the line over two nights. If you’re reading this, and want to know how you can help the boys win those 18 remaining games (certainly the 12 at home), come and cheer them on. It’s as simple of that.
