Friday is the annual pink in the rink game for the Saanich Braves, and itB次元官网网址檚 a night the IslandB次元官网网址檚 second place junior B team does not take lightly.
The Braves (12-3) host the Westshore Wolves (10-7) at Pearkes arena. ThereB次元官网网址檒l be no problem finding motivation for the Braves. Not only is it breast cancer fundraiser night, itB次元官网网址檚 the first rematch since the Wolves shutout Braves 3-0 at Pearkes on Oct. 12.
B次元官网网址淕oalie Alec Dhillon stood on his head that night and changed the momentum of the game,B次元官网网址� said Braves coach Brad Cook.
B次元官网网址淲e started doing things out of character, which can happen on nights like that.B次元官网网址�
The Braves bounced back from that game, which was only their second loss of the season, with a win. The Braves lost their next game to the Victoria Cougars, but have since won three straight, two against the Kerry Park Islanders and one against the Peninsula Panthers.
And now the Braves hope to make it four in a row with the expansion Wolves visiting.
B次元官网网址淚t comes down to playing a more structured game and limiting the WolvesB次元官网网址� chances. It could very likely be a goaltending duel,B次元官网网址� Cook said.
Likely starting for the Braves is Tanner McGaw, who has 10 wins in 12 games. McGaw, a former Victoria Grizzlies tender, owns the leagueB次元官网网址檚 best save percentage of .928, and has the second best goals against average of 2.21 per game.
Defensively the Braves are still in a fix. Forward Andrew White has done an admirable job since moving to into the defensive core against the Oceanside Generals on Oct. 13. Cook said White will stay on the blue line until injured D-men Liam Sproule and Garrett Kemmler are healthy.
B次元官网网址淣ot having Sproule and Kemmler is a big blow to this club. WeB次元官网网址檝e used seven different affiliate players already and itB次元官网网址檚 still October.B次元官网网址�
No surprise to anyone is the play of captain Ty Jones, last yearB次元官网网址檚 MVP. Jones centres the top line with returnee Shawn McBride on his left and Josh Gray on his right.
Gray is new to the Braves this season, a displaced Kootenay junior B player who finished last year with the Texas Brahmas in the junior B Western States Hockey League. The 20-year-old scored seven goals and 10 assists in 14 games with the Brahmas, and has 15 goals in 15 games this year.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 blessed with a rocket of a shot and heB次元官网网址檚 a big strong kid who can destroy people out there,B次元官网网址� Cook said.
Game time for pink in the rink is 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pearkes.
