The Victoria Grizzlies end their run of home games Friday night (Nov. 25) when they head up Island to take on the Nanaimo Clippers. The Grizz return home Saturday for a rematch with the Clippers at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre, before hitting the road for games in Prince George, Merritt and Coquitlam Dec. 2 to 4.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s Westshore Wolves have three junior B games on the calendar this week. Starting Saturday the Wolves head over the ’Hat to face the Oceanside Generals in their home barn in Parksville. The Wolves return to home ice at The Q Centre for a game against the Saanich Braves next Wednesday, with the puck drop at 7 p.m. Come Thursday, Dec. 1, the local boys cross town to the Archie Browning Sports Centre, where they’ll take on the Victoria Cougars at 7 p.m.
Coming off a 3-2 win over the Peninsula Eagles, the Midget Tier 1 Grizzlies host Port Alberni in Island Division 1 league action on Sunday at The Q Centre with a 2 p.m. puck drop. The Juan de Fuca Tier 2 midgets head west to SEAPARC arena to face the Sooke Thunderbirds at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Turning to the Western Hockey League, the Victoria Royals start play on the road in Portland and Seattle this week, before returning for their next home game Nov. 30, when they’ll host the Brandon Wheat Kings at 7:05 p.m. at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
In high school sports, senior boys Div. 2 league basketball gets underway next week with Royal Bay visiting Vic High next Tuesday, Nov. 29 for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Local basketball fans will also want to head to the University of Victoria tonight (Nov. 25), when the men’s and women’s Vikes basketball teams host UBC for the ninth annual Shoot for the Cure event, raising money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The women play first at 6 p.m. followed by the men at 8. For more information on the event visit govikesgo.com.
In Div. 2 Vancouver Island Soccer League play, Westcastle United returns to the pitch next week after starting this weekend with a bye. The local squad hosts Vantreights FC on Saturday, Dec. 3, with a 7 p.m. start at Westhills Stadium.
The VISL Div. 3A-leading Juan de Fuca side hosts Hellas FC at 5 p.m. Saturday at Westhills Stadium. In Div. 4A, Juan de Fuca FC takes on FC Sagres at Central Park in Victoria at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, the same time JdF Pilgrims host Vic West Beavers at the Juan de Fuca field. In Div. 4B, the league leading Juan de Fuca Bombers head to Tyndall Field on Sunday for a 2:15 p.m. match against the Saanich Spartans.
Div. 1 women’s soccer returns Saturday with Juan de Fuca United playing the Castaways FC at 6 p.m. at PISE in Saanich. Sunday sees JdF United host Vic West United, with the location and time still to be announced. Visit liwsa.com for more information.
In Island premier men’s rugby, Westshore hosts the University of Victoria for a 2:30 p.m. tilt on Saturday at Juan de Fuca, after the warmup game, which sees the Div. 1 Valhallians take on the University of Victoria Norsemen at 12:45 p.m.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Doug secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.