Kootenay faces Prince George as post season begins in B.C. Female AAA Hockey League
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s now or never for the Kootenay Wildcats as the club plays host to Prince George Cougars in the best-of-three B.C. Female Midget AAA Hockey League playoff beginning Friday at the NDCC Arena in Nelson.
“They’re really just a big strong team that likes to grind out games and to slow it down,” said Kootenay head coach Carey Fisher when asked about the upcoming series.
“They get shots from the point that we need to get a stick onto.”
“It’s just been a very physical matchup every time we’ve played them,” he adds.
The Cats get to host the series after finishing ahead of the Cougars in fourth spot in the five-team league.
Kootenay is 2-1-1 against the Cougars in the second half of the season.
Kootenay had a chance to finish higher in the standngs, but came up with a poor final weekend of the season, losing twice to Vancouver Fusion.
“We’re right in there with Prince George . . . every game is close and is won by only a goal,” Fisher said. “Hardly ever does somebody blow the other team out.”
Case in point to Fisher’s comments is the fact in four games since January, three were decided by a goal while the other contest ended in a tie.
Kootenay faces an uphill challenge after the starting goalie left the team due to a personal commitment.
The departure put Lauren Biggs into the spotlight after the Salmo backstop joined the team after being out of hockey for the past year.
A team that does not score many goals, the Wildcats will lean on the goal scoring of Shea Weighill of Nakusp to carry the offensivel load.
Game one goes Friday at 6:15 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Game two is Saturday at 6:30 p.m., also in the NDCC Arena.
If necessary, game three is set for Sunday at 8:15 a.m. in the Civic Centre Arena.
The winner advances to meet regular season champion Fraser Valley Phantom in the league semi final.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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