Clippers to face Capitals in round two of BCHL playoffs

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Clippers head coach Colin Birkas said his team was at their best for only part of the first round, but they’ll need to level up in this next series.

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“I am proud of the guys. Maybe Game 5 was the closest we saw to our ‘A’ game. We probably had a bit of nerves. We’re an older team, and we did put some pressure on ourselves to win. We’re not at 100 per cent, but hopefully the lineup sheet for Game 1 should be the same as the one in our last game.”

Cowichan finished the regular season as the top team in the Coastal West division and had 13 more points than Nanaimo.

Birkas feels if his team plays to their strengths, they have an excellent chance to advance.

“We’re probably quicker, but you have to manage the puck. If you’re stopping and starting all night, that can reduce the speed element, so we don’t want that to happen. We have the ability to play physically, and if we use our speed and manage the puck, that poses problems for the other team.”

The two clubs played each other last season in the first round of the playoffs, with the Capitals winning in five games.

Birkas said their identity is still very much the same.

“They love to score. They’re consistent and they don’t get stressed out. Based on the way they’re coached, they play loose, they problem-solve, and they keep trying to score goals. They’re going to be relentless for 60 minutes so you have to be on your toes for 60 minutes.”

The Capitals survived a scare from the Grizzlies in the opening round.

Four of their games went to overtime and Victoria had a 3-2 lead at one point but Cowichan bench boss Cam Keith said winning in dramatic fashion could help his group going forward.

“If you want to give your group the best opportunity to have success in playoffs, you have adversity early. Seeing our players go through that, their games go up, they get better, and everyone raises a level. You get some cohesiveness and you get a glimpse of their character.”

The Clippers and Capitals series starts with games one and two on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, in Duncan, before the series shifts to Frank Crane Arena on Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22.

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