The Comox Valley Glacier Kings are in a groove and it is showing in their swagger right now. They are working hard in practice, putting in 60 minute efforts in games and are doing better in the standings. Everything seems to be on the positive with their line up except for one thing (which in another way is a very big positive thing). We have been raving about Lane Maarhuis since coming over from Victoria and for good reason. He has been outstanding. He’s posted a 2-1-1-0 record with a 1.95 GAA and a .939 save percentage since coming here. Well he’s on the move again . He has been picked up by the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL for at least 7-10 days if not longer. Because of this, Comox Valley has acquired 18 year old netminder Ander Reyes from the Westshore Wolves. He became expendable and was released after Westshore signed former Glacier King backstop Luca Vanzo. Reyes sported a 9-3-0-1 record, 2.86 GAA, .911 save percentage with the Wolves and we could possibly seem him start tomorrow with Anthony Ganoung still on the injury list. He is a Winnipeg product that played with Pacific Coast Prep teams the past few years and put up fantastic numbers. Vanzo has also been good since going to Westshore (2-1, .360, .914) and is a welcome addition down south.
Despite the goalie shuffling going on, the Yeti look like they’re feeling good and they should. They have beaten every team in the VIJHL at least once with the exception of the Victoria Cougars. They have given the Cougars a run for their money the past 2 games but only have one point to show for it. Head coach/GM Curtis Toneff talked about his players confidence building, “I think it has to. Like you said, playing Victoria that tight, two games that close, there is a belief there that we can beat any team. The nice part is I still feel like we can play a little better. We’ve only been together as a team for so long, we still have some building to do within our game. I think that the roles and pieces are in place to hopefully have some success here.” They have beaten top teams like Peninsula (twice), Westshore (twice) and Oceanside (3 times plus a 4th went into OT).
As the season gets longer, the bumps and bruises and injuries can start to mount. So can being tired from all the practices, games, late night bus trips throughout the first five months etc. Work-load management for the players could be a thing but it still isn’t as hectic as upper-tier junior leagues and professionals. I asked Curtis about his practices this week and he said things are getting done quite quickly, “We’re maybe not going quite as long as you might in November or maybe January. We went for maybe an hour yesterday, Tuesday it was ‘skills’. An hour was more than enough yesterday with the pace and compete, the amount of skating that was done. To be honest, after an hour I said ‘That’s it for today’. We can stay on the ice, have a conversation or two, hit some pucks, have some faceoffs. Today we’ll have a bit more structure and some special teams but it’s been nice. I planned to go an hour-ten or an hour-15 but an hour is all that we have needed. Sometimes it’s like that this time of the year when you get in a rhythm.” By now the players know what to do so it is more-less honing their skills and efficiency at executing their responsibilities.
The Lake Cowichan Kraken will be in Courtenay for a visit tomorrow so there won’t be a practice. It is the Glacier Kings only game this week. Comox has picked up 7 of a possible 8 points against the Kraken so far this year. I’ll have a full preview of that game on tomorrow’s post. Until then, have a great day!
Darryl Skender
