B.C. Major Midget League: NW Giants On Top; Teams Continue To Battle In Standings

February 10, 2012
Posted in BC Edition, Major Midget

BY GRAHAM PERKINS /

There’s one month to go in the MML regular season, and while the Vancouver NW Giants are slowly pulling away from the pack in first place, there are still plenty of meaningful games left to play as teams jockey for playoff positioning.

One of the biggest upsets of the weekend took place in the Fraser Valley as the Bruins got two huge 4-3 wins against the neighbouring Valley West Hawks to climb back into the playoff picture.

The losses could prove costly for the Hawks, who have a bye this weekend and will have to cheer on the Greater Vancouver Canadians in their series against the Bruins. The North Island Silvertips currently hold the sixth and final playoff spot, with the Hawks one point back in seventh place and the Bruins just two points back of the Hawks. The Thompson Blazers are ten points back of the Bruins and would need a miracle to crack the top six, so realistically the race for that final spot is between the Hawks, Bruins and Silvertips.

The Hawks have fallen on hard times after going 14-10 before Christmas. They’ve managed just one win in 2012 and will need a change of fortunes if they hope to make it into the post season. They’ve had several key players out with injuries, so they’ll need some help from their depth players to stay in the hunt.

“We’ve had a tough stretch lately and have been in a playoff atmosphere for the last while,” said head coach Tom Spencer, who is very familiar with the Bruins after having coached them for the past two years.

One of the bright spots on the Hawks has been the play of first-year forward Mitchell Friesen, who leads the team in scoring with 47 points, and Daniell Lange, who sits right behind him with 44. Friesen was the team’s nominee for player of the month in December and has provided a steady supply of offense all season.

“Mitch has been awesome. He came in with a bit of a reputation from the scouts, but our expectations weren’t what he’s been producing right now,” Spencer said. “Our power play doesn’t thrive without him. He’s a natural goal scorer and a great kid overall. He’s got a great work ethic and a good head on his shoulders, and it’s paying dividends for him right now.”

While the fight for that final playoff spot will likely stretch on until the final weeks of the season, the Giants have a chance to clinch the league with a pair of wins against the Ice this weekend. They currently sit eight points up on the second place Cariboo Cougars and have relied on strong defensive play and goaltending all season, as evidenced by their league-low 54 goals against. A shutout loss against the Canadians this past weekend was their first loss since November 6 – the last time they played the Canadians.

“You approach every weekend trying to get as many points as possible,” said Giants head coach Todd Harkins. “It’s important, when you’re in front, to put as much pressure on the teams behind you by winning, because it affects the way they play. Every one of the teams we’re playing is jockeying for playoff position, so we have to prepare as though it’s the playoffs and continue to push those teams.”

With the regular season crown all but secured, one of the biggest issues the Giants will face going forward is fighting against complacency. Their schedule gives them a bye in the final week of the season, so if they get a first round bye on top of that they run the risk of falling out of their rhythm at the most important time of the year. However, if the players’ work ethic and attention to detail over the last few games is any indication, such a break would only fuel the hunger for them to repeat as league champions.

“The team is playing with passion and desire right now,” Harkins said. “If we get through the season and win the league it will be a great accomplishment, and we’ll refocus our attention on who we’re playing in the playoffs.”

Here’s a look at the standings and schedule for the next few weeks:

Vancouver NW Giants (24-4-6): @ Ice, vs Silvertips

Cariboo Cougars (20-8-6): @ Blazers, BYE

Vancouver NE Chiefs (18-10-4): @ Silvertips, vs Rockets

Greater Vancouver Canadians (17-11-6): vs/@ Bruins, @/vs Hawks

Okanogan Rockets (15-10-7): vs Thunderbirds, @ Chiefs

North Island Silvertips (15-13-4): vs Chiefs, @ Giants

Valley West Hawks (15-16-3): BYE, vs/@ Canadians

Fraser Valley Bruins (13-14-5): @/vs Canadians, vs Ice

Thompson Blazers (8-19-5): vs Cougars, @ Thunderbirds

Kootenay Ice (4-24-4): vs Giants, @ Bruins

South Island Thunderbirds (3-23-6): @ Rockets, vs Blazers