Before they can start thinking about playoffs, the Cariboo Cougars have one last test to pass. And it will be a tough one.
The Cats play their final regular-season games in the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League today and Sunday in the Lower Mainland. The second-place Cougars (24-8-6) will skate against the third-place Vancouver Northeast Chiefs (21-13-4) in what should be a perfect tune-up for the post-season. Today's game is in Burnaby and the rematch will be on the ice in Delta.
The Cats have already clinched second place and a bye to the playoff semifinals, while the Chiefs are locked in a battle with the Okanagan Rockets (19-11-8) for third spot. The third- and fourth-place finishers will earn the right to host best-of-three quarterfinal series.
When the Cougars and Chiefs last met, in October in Prince George, the games ended in a 2-2 tie and a 7-3 win for the Cats.
This weekend, the Cougars will have to be mindful of two Chiefs players in particular - Adam Rockwood and Jamie Waddington. They are currently first and second in the MML scoring race. In 38 games, Rockwood has 16 goals and an eye-popping 65 assists, good for 81 points, while Waddington has 28 goals and 72 points in 38 outings.
The Cougars are being led offensively by Eli Jarvis, who is 8th on the scoring list with 22 goals and 52 points in 37 games.
Playoffs will start with the quarterfinals next weekend. The eventual playoff champion will face the Alberta winner in a regional showdown, which will be a qualifier for the Telus Cup national midget championship tournament. This year's Telus Cup is April 23-29 in Leduc, Alta.
