By Dominic Abassi

Raiders try to snap slump, Clippers wrap training camp this weekend

Aug 26, 2016 | 11:01 AM

NANAIMO — We’re in the transition days of summer, when baseball season comes to an end, football season is in mid-swing and hockey players head inside the rinks to prepare for another long campaign.

Here’s a look at what to expect from some of the local teams this weekend

Raiders travel to interior

The VI Raiders will head on the road this weekend, looking to avoid a fate that is considered extremely rare for the perennial BCFC powerhouse.

The Raiders will head to Kamloops for a Saturday night meeting, trying not to lose their third game in a row. The task will be aided by the fact their opponents, the Broncos, sit tied for last in the conference with an 0-5 record.

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That includes a 37-14 week one loss to the Raiders in Nanaimo.

The Raiders currently sit fourth in the conference at 2-3 and in a playoff spot, well behind 4-1 Westshore and Langley.

Clippers wrap-up training camp

We might still be sweltering in the heat outside, but inside the rink the ice is down and the Clippers are gearing up to defend their back-to-back BCHL Island Division titles.

Nanaimo will close out their training camp with their annual Rhodesie Cup inter-squad game at Frank Crane Arena on Friday night. Puck-drop is 6 o’clock.

After that, the Clippers dive straight into exhibition action. Nanaimo visits Cowichan Valley on Saturday for their first taste of live game action with this group of players.

The regular season opens for Nanaimo September 9 when Alberni Valley visits ‘The Frank’.

VIJHL clubs enter exhibition season

The Oceanside Generals, sporting a new coaching staff and a veteran roster, open the exhibition campaign Friday night in Campbell River.

It’s a busy weekend for the Gens, who then host Kerry Park on Saturday night at Oceanside Place, before heading back to Campbell River on Sunday afternoon.

The Nanaimo Buccaneers, meanwhile, don’t open the exhibition schedule until September 1 in Victoria.