Sports editor’s note:
Throughout the season, Ben Dalpe, brother of former Penticton Vee Zac Dalpe, will write a column for the Western News giving readers insight into his life on the ice and away from the rink.
This week I would like to talk about our road trip this weekend.
After having last weekend off, all the boys are fired up to head out on a four-day trip. The three games we play this weekend are crucial to our position in the standings.
Currently, we are only two points behind division-leading West Kelowna, but we also have two games in hand. With some big wins, we can slip into first.
We start bright and early Thursday. Wake up will be around 5:30 a.m., as we have to be at the South Okanagan Events Centre for 6 a.m. With bus departing around 6:30 a.m., we will have breakfast provided for us.
Thursday is a travel day, so this will be a long day with two ferry rides. This will be my first ocean ferry ride so fingers crossed I will get to see my first whale. After a long day we are expected to arrive in Powell River around 5 p.m.
Friday will be game day. We will have a morning skate at 10 a.m., and then go over some video on our opponent, the Powell River Kings. Friday’s game is a huge test as the Kings have the best record in the BCHL.
Saturday we travel to Nanaimo to face the Clippers. They currently sit third in the Island Division. Saturday’s game will be cool for me to skate in the same rink my brother won the Fred Page Cup back in 2008 with the Vees.
Also to play against future teammates at Clarkson University next year, Sheldon Rempal and Devin Brosseau.
Sunday we head to Alberni Valley to face the Bulldogs. Like I said at the start, this weekend is a huge weekend for our hockey club. Playing three games in three nights, this will be a tough challenge but we hope to come back to Penticton with six points.
Hope you all follow the games, thanks for taking time to read my column.