The Greater Vancouver Canadians have finally ringed in 2013.
The new year had been a forgetful one for the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League team, heading into last weekend's series against the fourth place Vancouver Northeast Chiefs. The Canadians had slipped below .500 and into sixth place after going winless in six games (0-5-1). Making the numbers even more alarming was their struggles against the league's elite clubs.
A pair of wins in Prince George against the second place Cariboo Cougars and a couple of ties were all Greater Vancouver had to show in 16 games (2-122) against the the top five teams in the standings.
However, the Canadians finally made a statement by sweeping the Chiefs in convincing fashion.
A four-point performance from South Delta's Adam Musil led the way in a 7-4 game one victory. Taz Burman then picked up the shutout on Sunday at the Richmond Olympic Oval in a 6-0 triumph.
"This was huge for us," said Canadians coach Leland Mack. "Besides, Prince George, we have no wins against the top teams. (The Chiefs) also could be our first round opponent in the playoffs so hopefully this helps with our confidence going in."
Mack added he wasn't close to hitting the panic button despite his team's significant slide. He watched his squad drop a pair of one goal games to the Valley West Hawks, then fall to the Cougars last weekend, despite outshooting them by a 39-17 margin.
Back in October, the Chiefs blitzed the Canadians with dominating 4-1 and 5-1 victories.
"We just moved the puck better, had good unselfish play and were more aggressive on their defence," he continued.
"We didn't have the results in our previous games but we had been building some momentum.
"This was the big part of the season for us against all the top teams. Now with the schedule coming up, hopefully we can get a win streak going."
Of the Canadians' 10 remaining games, eight are against the bottom four teams in the standings. Their biggest test will be when the third place Okanagan Rockets come to Richmond Feb. 16-17.
The Canadians entertain the North Island Silvertips this weekend, with games on Saturday (4: 15 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.) at the Olympic Oval.
