Vancouver Island junior B hockey fans can get a preview of a South Division first-round playoff matchup by heading over to Pearkes Arena tonight (Feb. 13) at 6:30 p.m.
The third-place Saanich Braves host the Westshore Wolves, who long ago clinched second in the division. It’s the final regular-season game for the Braves, who look to get a last read on the Wolves before meeting them in a best-of-seven series.
The Wolves, who were scheduled to host league cellar-dweller Oceanside two nights ago (after Gazette print deadline), wind up with a game next Thursday against runaway division champ Victoria Cougars at Archie Browning Sports Centre.
Westshore lost their first-round playoff matchup against Peninsula last season, but hope to get at least to round 2, most likely against defending league champion Victoria.
Recent scores for the Wolves saw them win a wild one last Friday in North Saanich, 8-7 in overtime against the Panthers, following a 4-4 tie with Nanaimo back on Feb . 4 at The Q Centre.
Individually, James Severs and Corey Peterson lead Westshore’s scoring parade with 52 points apiece. Severs, who began the season in Campbell River, has 30 points in 18 games with the Wolves.
Junior rookie Christian Brandt, another mid-season acquisition from the Storm, is next with 43 points, including 23 in 19 games with the Wolves.