Saanich Braves’Brad Main has Peninsula’s Greg Simpson on his tail in Junior B action Sunday at Pearkes Recreation Centre. The Panthers won the game 8-3.
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By Travis Paterson - Victoria News
Published: October 09, 2008 10:20 AM
It’s not the kind of start to the season the Saanich Braves had in mind.
Going 5-6-0 while missing some key players isn’t so bad, either.
Entering this weekend’s Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League play, the Braves sit third in the South division and sixth overall. The Braves play a rare Friday night road game tonight (Oct. 10) in Campbell River and are in Mill Bay on Saturday to play league-leading Kerry Park.
At this point in the schedule, filling roster spots isn’t usually an issue, said Braves coach Dick Crowder, but it’s starting to get a little dicey.
“Without a full roster you can’t go out there and play a run-and-gun kind of game,” he said.
The Braves’ key to success this weekend is to employ a patient, typical road game strategy by capitalizing on chances created from turnovers, Crowder said.
Building up the win column is going to be a little more complicated.
“It would be a helpful start, undoubtedly, if we could get everybody in the lineup,” the coach said. “We’re going through the (mid)-season woes early this year. Every team goes through it, but it seems we’re going through it earlier than later, which is a good thing, I guess.”
Top gun Kelly Friesen, a 20-year-old import from Saskatchewan, is back home to help harvest the family farm. He had nine points in four games, but has missed five games already and won’t be back with the team at least until the Braves’ Oct. 17 home game with the Victoria Cougars.
A 20-year-old who was out of the lineup serving a suspension and dealing with carding issues is Dylan Lawrence. His presence is welcomed, given his production of nine points in seven games. He also racked up 65 minutes in penalties.
Still injured and out of the lineup, however, are forwards Kevin Philps, Jo Jo Koomson and Leroy Young and defenceman Trevor Verwolf.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Braves, with Trevor Yee, Sam Waterfield and Connor Stephens being called up by the Burnaby Express of the B.C. Hockey League for this weekend.
Burnaby is on a three-game Island swing, playing the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday and Sunday with a Saturday night visit to Bear Mountain Arena to play the Victoria Grizzlies.
“Burnaby has some injury problems themselves and are missing five players,” said Crowder.
What doesn’t kill the Braves should make them stronger as they rally to hover at .500.
sports@vicnews.com
