PREVIEW: North Vancouver Wolf Pack vs. Surrey Knights (Game #22)
Tonight, the North Vancouver Wolf Pack hosts the Surrey Knights in the second meeting of the season between these two clubs. The Pack beat the Knights 7-1 on the road back in October on Thursday, October 28. North Van has a record of 14-0-0-0 against Surrey over the past five seasons. This is also the last time that these two teams will play against one another this season.
Surrey Knights
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Andy Liboiron
Record: 2-16-0-1
Road Record: 1-6-0-1
Last Game: A 10-1 home loss against the Langley Trappers on Thursday night.
Goals For/Goals Against: 38 GF/115 GA (-77)
Power Play: 15/68 (16.18%)
Penalty Kill: 20/81 (75.31%)
Leading Scorers: Montaro Uyeyama (19GP – 3G – 11A – 14PTS), Brandon Melsness (16GP – 7G – 5A – 12PTS), Billy Thompson (12GP – 2G – 7A – 9PTS)
DJ Cash
DJ Cash is one of the three Surrey Knights goaltenders. Cash has gone between the pipes eight times already this season and has posted a 6.03 GAA to go along with a 0.855 SV%. Despite not having the nicest stats Cash gives his team the opportunity to win every game as he has the great ability to keep his team within reach of all the games that they play when he is in net. It is uncertain who will get the nod in goal for the Knights tonight, but DJ Cash can certainly be up for discussion.
Improving the Fortress
Since the Surrey Knights first became a team in the 2016-2017 season they have missed the playoffs every year since. It is no secret to anyone in the PJHL that the Surrey Knights have had a hard time finding success over the years. This season, the Knights have a 2-16-0-1 record and sit near the bottom of the league, a spot where they have been so many times before. Only the Port Moody Panthers (2-19-0-0) have a worse record than Surrey. Since the Pack and Knights last played, Surrey has played six more games owning a 1-4-0-1 record. It may very well be another year of re-building for this Surrey Knights team, but if they do plan on making it to the playoffs for the very first time then they need to start winning games fast otherwise their season will come to an end before it ever really begins.
NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Matt Samson
Record: 16-4-0-1
Home Record: 7-2-0-1
Last Game: A 4-3 loss at home against White Rock on Sunday, November 14.
Goals For/Goals Against: 87 GF/48 GA (+39)
Power Play: 17/92 (18.48%)
Penalty Kill: 10/78 (87.18%)
Leading Scorers: David Coyle (20GP – 14G – 16A – 30PTS), JJ Pickell (21GP – 18G – 10A – 28PTS), Ryan Hunter (21GP – 4G – 18A – 22PTS)
The Croatian Sensation
The native of West Vancouver, has played in fifteen games so far this season. In fifteen games, Dario Zitko has one goal and seven assists for a total of eight points. Zitko may be a rookie in the PJHL, but he has certainly made his mark in the Wolf Pack dressing room despite making some of the worst jokes after each and every practice. Should the 6’4 and 200lbs forward return back into the lineup after his injury, the Surrey Knights will have to be aware whenever he is out on the ice.
Teddy Bear Toss Announced
The North Vancouver Wolf Pack is partnering with Family Services of the North Shore to present Teddy Bear Toss night on Saturday, December 11th. This is the 2nd ever Teddy Bear Toss game that the Wolf Pack will be hosting. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears to the game and when the Wolf Pack score their first goal of the game, fans can throw the stuffed animals onto the ice. We’ll collect the stuffies so that the teddy bears can then be donated to the North Shore Christmas Bureau where they will be gifted to families and children to ensure that every child in our community has a smile on their face come Christmas Day.
Final Words
After tonight’s game the Wolf Pack take on another struggling team in the Port Moody Panthers (2-19-0-0) at home tomorrow night. This is the last time this month that the Wolf Pack will play at home for two consecutive nights in a row.
