Skip to content

JOCK TALK: Hockey and hoops on the docket for West Shore teams

Colin Gall takes us through the sports list for West Shore teams and events

While most high school sports are on winter break, Belmont’s senior boys basketball team tips off against some of the best this weekend.

Play begins today (Dec. 15) in the 2016 Gary Taylor Basketball Tournament at Oak Bay High, with the Bulldogs opening play against the Vancouver College Fighting Irish. The games continue Friday and wind up Saturday, with the junior finals set for 4:15 p.m. and the senior finals at 6.

After back-to-back Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League tilts against the Victoria Cougars (a 3-1 loss at The Q Centre) and Nanaimo Buccaneers this week, the junior B Westshore Wolves have the weekend off before returning to the ice next Wednesday, Dec. 21 to host the Peninsula Panthers. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre.

In their last game before the week-long holiday break, the Wolves return to the ice Friday, Dec. 23, when they head to Pearkes Rec Centre to take on the Saanich Braves at 6:30 p.m.

The B.C. Hockey League’s Victoria Grizzlies start the weekend up-Island, playing the Bulldogs in Port Alberni’s Weyerhaeuser Arena on Friday night (Dec. 16).

The Island Division-leading Grizz return to Colwood for a Sunday matinee game at 2 p.m., when they host the Prince George Cougars at The Q Centre for the only time this regular season.

Also this weekend, the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals play their final home game before enjoying a nine-day winter break. On Saturday the Royals will host the Vancouver Giants at 7:05 p.m. at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Planning is underway for the 2017 5K and 10K Goddess Run, coming to Westhills Stadium and Langford on Sunday, June 4. Register now for just $45, before the fee climbs by $5 increments to $60 for late registration. Learn more at goddessrun.ca/victoria.

Online registration is also underway for the Greater Victoria Minor Ball Hockey spring season at vmbh.ca. The league is also accepting applications for head and assistant coaches in all divisions until Jan. 15.

The Western Lacrosse Association’s Victoria Shamrocks have launched season ticket sales for the 2017 season.

Tickets start at just $45, allowing fans to guarantee their seats to cheer the boys in green in their quest for the Mann Cup. The national championship series is set to be hosted by the WLA champion in 2017.

Nominations for the University of Victoria’s Sports Hall of Fame in the categories of athlete, team, coach, builder or administrator are welcome until Jan. 11. Email vicvikes@uvic.ca.

Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Doug secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.