Tonight marks the 44th and final regular-season game for the North Vancouver Wolf Pack. The Pack aims for their 32nd win of the season and will look to further their lead in first place. At the other end, the Grandview Steelers need to win to keep any chance of Lucas Cox growing his facial hair for the playoffs alive. It’s the 44th game of the season for the Wolf Pack, the sixth meeting of the season between these two teams and the game starts at 7:00 p.m.
Grandview Steelers
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Jim Camazzola
Record: 17-21-2-1
Road Record: 7-10-2-1
Last Game: An 3-2 road loss on February 9, in Richmond.
Goals For/Goals Against: 134 GF/132 GA (+2)
Power Play: 32/143 (22.38%)
Penalty Kill: 32/145 (77.93%)
Leading Scorers: Carter Demelo (35GP – 18G – 20A – 38PTS), Vincent Timperio (41GP – 14G – 23A – 37PTS), Jarod Yau (41GP – 3G – 29A – 32PTS)
KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE
Not only do the Grandview Steelers need to win tonight against the Wolf Pack, but the team also needs the Langley Trappers to defeat the Aldergrove Kodiaks. The Kodiaks are currently in the eighth and final playoff spot and have 43 points in 42 games while Grandview has 38 points in 41 games. With two games remaining for Aldergrove, the Kodiaks will need at least one point in either game to lock up the final spot for the post-season.
DRIVING THE ‘CART’
2004-born forward Carter Demelo is putting together a remarkable second season in the PJHL. The product of Port Moody, BC heads into the weekend leading the Steelers with 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points. One of those 18 goals and two of those 20 assists have come in four games against the Wolf Pack.
NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Matt Samson
Record: 31-7-4-1
Road Record: 18-4-0-0
Last Game: A 3-2 overtime loss against Richmond last night.
Goals For/Goals Against: 172 GF/106 GA (+66)
Power Play: 39/186 (20.97%)
Penalty Kill: 20/160 (87.5%)
Leading Scorers: David Coyle (42GP – 28G – 30A – 58PTS), JJ Pickell (43GP – 28G – 27A – 55PTS), Ryan Hunter (43GP – 15G – 35A – 50PTS)
FLIP THE SCRIPT
It is no secret that the Steelers need to win their final three games of the regular season and need other teams to lose to keep their playoff dreams alive. The Aldergrove Kodiaks are taking on Langley and if they win the Kodiaks will lock up the final playoff spot. However, if the Trappers win their final two regular-season games they will finish first in the league regardless of how the Wolf Pack do tonight.
DAMIAN PEROVIC
Damian Perovic is one of three Wolf Pack goaltenders but has played the most games of the three. Sam Gilmore and Nik Jerris have accompanied Perovic who is fourth amongst PJHL goaltenders with a 2.46 GAA, second with a 0.921 GAA stat line, and he is tied in fourth with two shutouts. Perovic has suited up in 26 games this season. Last night, Perovic, who is in his second season with the team, had the opportunity to play for the Langley Rivermen in the BCHL. Perovic played the final half of the third period and stopped all five of the shots that were fired his way. This is a well-deserved accomplishment for Perovic who has had an outstanding season with the Wolf Pack.
FINAL WORDS
Tonight marks the sixth and final meeting of the season between these two teams. The Steelers took the first meeting on September 18 as Lucas Cox scored the shootout winner to give the Steelers a 5-4 shootout win, but the Pack has won the last four meetings, 4-3, 3-1, 3-1, and 4-2 in a January 16 meeting at the BWC. North Van is 12-4-0-1 against Grandview over the last five seasons and 4-0-0-1 against them this season. This has the potential to be an incredible game as the Steelers continue their chase for a spot in the playoffs while the Wolf Pack continue to press for first place in the PJHL.
