Huskies’ open second round on February 21st

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Huskies will return from their two-week playoff holiday on Friday, February 21st.

The club will open the second round of the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) playoffs against the Dawson Creek Kodiaks at the North Peace Arena.

A three-game sweep of the Fairview Flyers in the opening round of the NWJHL playoffs means head coach Todd Alexander’s team hasn’t played since February 8th.

But, Alexander feels the team will be prepared for the Kodiaks, who defeated the North Peace Navigators in four games.

“The mind is a powerful thing,” said Alexander. “If we’re going to go out there and say that we’re going to be rusty, [that’s] what we’ll get.”

“It totally depends on the mentality of our hockey club. My head’s at full expectations [the team] will come out and play our game the way we always play our game.”

The Huskies controlled the Kodiaks during the regular season, winning all eight contests and outscoring Dawson Creek by a combined 39-11 with two shutouts.

But as Alexander says, the playoffs have a different atmosphere, and Dawson Creek will be ready to play.

“It really comes down to want, and our group wanting it more than their group,” said Alexander. “Those [regular season] games mean nothing to us now. It’s a fresh start and first to win four games.” 

The best-of-seven playoff series begins Friday, February 21st at North Peace Arena at 8:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon’s start of 4:00 p.m. on February 23rd, Game three will take place back in Dawson Creek on February 28th at 8:30 p.m.

Game four occurs in Dawson Creek on Sunday, March 2nd at 4:00 p.m. Games five, six and seven will happen if necessary on March 4th, 6th, and 7th respectively. 
More details about the Huskies are available on their Facebook, Instagram, and website.