Lakers (9-6) vs Shamrocks (13-1-2)
Coming into the last full week of play, the WLA is treating us to a great race in the standing’s and the playoff push that comes with it. Starting Friday when the Lakers (9-6) visit the powerhouse Shamrocks (13-1-2). With the season series already won by the ‘Rocks, (13-10/8-6) this game means alot more to the Lakers then it does Victoria. Nothing is set in stone in the sense of the way the playoffs look. Coming into this weekend the Lakers are currently sitting third with three games remaining, but, the New Westminister Salmonbellies are only four points back of the Lakers with two games themselves left. With his big game experience don’t be surprised to see Tyler Richards (6-6) the rest of the way for the Lakers and look at them to count on Dane Stevens (19G,23A) as well as Casey Jackson (12G,32A) and Robert Church (20G,20A), all three of these players will be relied upon heavily to secure that third overall birth in the post season.
Lakers vs Timbermen (4-10-1)
After playing in Victoria the night prior the Lakers can’t afford to show any signs of fatigue playing a T-Men squad bent on spoiling some post season dreams. Nanaimo has three games left, all against teams currently sitting in a post season spot. Even thought the T-men haven’t had the outcomes they have been looking for this season, it doesn’t mean they don’t have what it takes to compete. With Zach Boychuk’s 9.88 GAA slowly dropping and his save percentage at .781 he is quickly turning into a reliable goalie that has an extremely bright future in the WLA and beyond in my opinion. With Nanaimo’s top three players (Mac Johnston, Paul Brebber and Cayle Ratcliff) all having more then 30 points with games left it also tells you that the offence is learning to play together and take advantage of the skill they have.
Salmonbellies (7-9) vs Adanacs (6-10)
With two games left in the season for these two teams and two points separating these two teams, this game could have huge playoff implications. Unfortunately for the ‘Bellies, the Adanac’s hold the season series (8-7,9-6) so the Bellies have no choice but have their best player Jordan McBride (22G,22A) be their best player. The record doesn’t show it (6-7) but Alexis Buque and his .816 Save Pct. has kept New West in games all year but Adam Schute’s .758 GAA is no slouch either so scoring will be at scarce I think. If Brett Hickey (23G,32A) and Daryl Veltman (11G,26A) play as consistently as they have all season, the possibility of the Adanac’s catching the Salmonbellies is very real.
