WEEK IN REVIEW
A rare three game week for the Glacier Kings saw the team drop two out of three games.
The team started with a 1-1 split on the weekend, losing 4-0 on the road to Peninsula, before returning to home ice Saturday against Campbell River and pulling away with a 2-0 win.
Head Coach Curtis Toneff said they weren’t themselves Friday night and not enough guys came ready to play.
“It was just one of those nights where you’re just sloppy, nothing was going our way, and we weren’t generating a lot.”
Toneff added they had a good chat with the team following Friday night’s game which helped translate to a good bounce back effort against Campbell River the next night.
“I thought it was a full team effort that night that came from within the room, it wasn’t a big speech from the coaching staff, it was from our leadership group making sure our guys were ready to play and that’s what you need at this time of year.”
Saturday night’s win officially clinched the Glacier Kings a playoff spot in the North Division in a potential first round playoff preview.
The team then headed to Port Alberni Wednesday night for another potential first round playoff matchup, dropping the contest 5-3.
Special team issues were prevalent in this game, with the Glacier Kings allowing two powerplay goals and three short-handed goals.
Toneff said they were sloppy on the powerplay and had been strong on the penalty kill he thought the past few games leading into Wednesday night.
“Maybe once in a while your due for an off night or maybe it’s something I could do better, but I don’t know if we’re going to beat it up too much.”
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22 7:45 P.M. VS SAANICH PREDATORS
It’s the final weekend of the regular season in the VIJHL this weekend with the Glacier Kings having one game remaining against Saanich on home ice.
Playoff seeding remains on the line for the Glacier Kings, as a win and a Lake Cowichan regulation loss in one of their two remaining games would secure third seed in the North Division.
Toneff said the team needs to come in with a playoff like intensity for this one, despite it being Saanich’s last game of the season after failing to secure a postseason berth.
“That group over there obviously you want to be the spoiler and end your season on a high note and sometimes the scariest man is the one with nothing to lose.”
The final weekend carries significant value for all four playoff bound teams in the North Division.
Port Alberni and Campbell River also are battling for the top seed in the division while separated by just one point.
The Glacier Kings will play one of those two teams in the first round regardless of if they finish third or fourth in the division.
