The West 麻豆精选 Warriors aim to end their season on the right foot this weekend. They will get little rest as the playoffs are set to start a week after the Warriors鈥� final two games against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
鈥淭rail is playing some really good hockey right now,鈥� said Warriors鈥� assistant coach Matt Miller. 鈥淣ow we have to get back to playing good hockey ourselves. It鈥檚 going to be a tough weekend, both teams are fighting for a (better) playoff position. It won鈥檛 be easy, but that鈥檚 the test we need going into the playoffs.鈥�
West 麻豆精选 had a late collapse in a 4-1 lost to the Merritt Centennials on Feb. 19. Merritt has one of the hottest teams in the BCHL, but the Warriors were right behind them up until the third period, when West 麻豆精选 forfeited some penalties that gifted the Cents the lopsided win.
鈥淲e had a good 40 minutes in Merritt, but we need to focus on a full 60, especially heading into the playoffs. We got to find our game, and the last two games are important,鈥� said Miller.
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After an interesting year, the West 麻豆精选 Warriors will finish near the bottom in the Interior division of the BCHL, but as hockey fans know, anything can happen in the playoffs.
The Warriors will need the best play from all their players heading into the last two games of the regular season, and then into the playoffs. Most notably, leading Warriors鈥� scorer Mike Hardman, who鈥檚 been nominated for the BCHL鈥檚 Bob Fenton Trophy for most sportsmanlike player in the league, will need to maintain his hot hand for the playoffs. Warriors鈥� goalies Connor Hopkins and Brock Baier will need to play their best hockey as well when the BCHL playoffs start March 1.
鈥淗ardman will be a playoff player, he鈥檚 got that intensity,鈥� said Miller. 鈥淎nd our two goalies are looking to find some wins and gain confidence, but we trust both of them, and when they (play well), our defence will take it from there.鈥�
The Warriors host the Trail Smoke Eaters Feb. 22 for their last home game of the season, and then finish the campaign in Trail the next night.
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