Hand Victoria Grizzlies head coach Rylan Ferster a cloth and some soapy water. He will need it as he looks to wipe away the glass to take a peek at the playoff picture in the Coastal Conference of the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Hockey League.
“It’s as clear as mud,” he said.
A couple of coats of it, to be sure.
It might become a little clearer following the Grizzlies’ weekend Lower Mainland road swing through Chilliwack tonight to play the Chiefs, Coquitlam on Saturday night to meet the Express and Surrey on Sunday afternoon to take on the Eagles.
The top four of the eight playoff teams in the conference will get home-ice advantage in the first round. The Nanaimo Clippers are pretty much assured the top seed with the Eagles perched nicely as the second seed. But only four points separate the next four teams in the middle of the table.
The Grizzlies are in fourth spot and two points behind the third-place Alberni Valley Bulldogs with two games in hand. Coquitlam is fifth and one point behind Victoria. The Chiefs are sixth and two points behind the Grizzlies.
“Home ice in the playoffs is a huge bonus,” said Ferster.
“As important is it is, you will have to win on the road at some point.”
The Powell River Kings are locked into the seventh playoff position. The Langley Rivermen lead the Cowichan Valley Capitals by six points in the race for the eighth and final berth.
The Grizzlies are hobbled more by illness than injury down the stretch drive.
“We are banged up with sickness and will have to navigate through that this weekend,” said Ferster.
“It’s tough. You’re always concerned about health this time of year in hockey. But it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up.”
