10-0 SFU takes on 6-4 VIU in BCIHL playoff preview

Don't look now, but at 10-0 SFU is 2 wins away from a perfect regular season. The 6-4 VIU Mariners, on the other hand, may be focused on something else going into Saturday's regular season tilt in Nanaimo, a preview of the Quarterfinal matchup already set in stone between the same 2 teams on March 4th.

With Friday's win over UVIC, SFU is on pace to top their 15-1-0 and 17-2-5 campaigns in 2008-09 and 2011-12. SFU won't be looking for history to repeat itself going into playoffs, as it was UVIC that captured their 2nd and 3rd championships those years. This edition of SFU has shown discipline and a focus on the end goal of winning SFU's fourth championship and first in over 10 years. Team speed and a quick transition attack has helped elevate 6 SFU forwards and 2 defensemen to the top 12 in BCIHL scoring, including Selkirk College transfer Garrett Hilton who sits atop the points race with 18 points and 0 penalty minutes. With 3rd year defenseman Matt Brown sidelined until playoffs with a suspension, SFU may be facing their first real adversity this season.

The Mariners, on the other hand, have faced adversity all season. With former Penticon Vee and NCAA D1 Alabama-Huntsville transfer Derek Krall splitting netminding duties with Wyatt Fournier and Jame Brendeland, VIU has depth in net to compliment their physical and blue-collar style of play. VIU is looking for their first BCIHL championship in their fourth season, a quick ascent to the top of the BCIHL standings. Rookie and former Kimberley Dynamiter Brock Palmer trails Hilton by only 3 points, while seniors Gavin Rauser, Garrett Dunlop, Adam Morton, Garrett Murray, Brett Witala and Jame McCormack present one of the league's deepest and most experienced lineups. 

Saturday's matchup should tell us a lot of about where the BCIHL's top two teams are at heading into the championship weekend on March 4th/5th/6th in Burnaby.