Junior C playoffs begin
Valley plays Clare in the first round
By Jonathan Riley
DIGBY COURIER
NovaNewsNow.com
The Valley Keith’s begin the playoffs this Friday against the Clare Lions.
“I like a big challenge,” says Keith GM Steve Clayton. “We beat them once in overtime and we beat them once in regulation.
“We have to play a better game than we did the last little while – we have to play our best game.”
The Lions finished out the season on top of the West and on top of the league overall. They had 52 points on a 25-3-2 record. The Keith’s meanwhile qualified for playoffs in the fourth spot in the West with a 12-16-2 record.
The teams’ records over the last 15 games are even farther apart. The Lions have won 13 and lost 2 while the Keith’s have lost 12 and won 3.
For all that, Clare GM Francis Robichaud says the playoffs could hold some surprises.
“That’s what makes playoffs exciting. It doesn’t matter where you finish the regular season, it’s a new season.
“Valley gave us some trouble in the regular season. So in that way, I think it is good we play Valley first. Our guys know they have to pick up their game.”
The two Digby County teams split their four games this year 2-2.
The first game goes Friday night, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Université Sainte-Anne arena.
Clayton is hoping for reinforcements for Sunday’s game.
“I don’t want to wish any bad luck on the Wildcats but if they lose Saturday night, that’s it for them, and we get access to some much needed defencemen.”
Andrew Walker, Andrew Maxwell and Blake Hayes play for the Midget Major Valley Wildcats but are also signed as affiliates with the Keith’s. The Wildcats have lost the first two games of a best-of-five series against the Dartmouth Subways, 14-0 and 3-1.
The West’s other semi-final is between the Yarmouth Admirals (13-14-0-3 for 46) and the Barrington Ice Dogs (18-8-3 for 39).
Check back on NovaNewsNow.com Saturday morning to hear how the first game went for the Keith’s.
Final Standings in the NSJRCHL West
1. Clare Lions 25-3-0-2 (52)
2. Barrington Ice Dogs 18-8-0-3 (39)
3. Yarmouth Admirals 13-14-0-3 (29)
4. Valley Keiths 12-16-0-2 (26)
5. South Shore Wild 4-24-0-0 (8)
Semi final schedule between the Lions and the Keith’s
Game 1: Friday, Feb. 15,
Université Sainte-Anne Arena, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, Feb. 17,
Digby Arena, 2 p.m.
Game 3: Friday, Feb. 22,
Université Sainte-Anne Arena, 9:30 p.m.
Game 4 (if needed): Saturday, Feb. 23,
Digby Arena, 7 p.m.
Game 5 (if needed): Sunday, Feb. 24,
Université Sainte-Anne Arena, 8:30 p.m.
