The Victoria Grizzlies have been hot and cold this season, and their fortunes have often coincided with those of Joel Lowry. One of the B.C. Hockey League’s top scorers, before suffering a stubborn ankle injury in late November, Lowry missed most of December and January — a period when the Grizzlies lost about half of their games.

These days, the 19-year-old, who has committed to Cornell University in upstate New York, is getting back on track just in time for playoffs.

The Grizzlies wind up the regular season tonight, in a playoff preview and battle for home-ice advantage against the Nanaimo Clippers, starting at 7:15 at Bear Mountain Arena.

The Clippers, who edged Alberni Valley 3-2 on Friday, are one point back of the fourth-place Grizzlies in the Coastal Conference. The team that wins tonight plays host in Game 1 of the first round on Friday.

Langley downed Salmon Arm 7-6 in overtime to claim third spot.

“It’s a big game for us [against the Clippers],” said Lowry, who said getting back into top form has been tough.

“The first couple of games back, I was so excited, but I definitely wasn’t in game shape.”

“The last couple of games I kind of found it, and I hope it stays that way for playoffs.”

Recently, Lowry, Kyle St. Denis, who has had three straight two-goal games, and Mitch Labreche have been a force.

Out of the Grizzlies’ 25 goals through seven games in February, the three forwards have scored 17.

“Me and Mitch play hard and go in the corners, and Kyle is really easy to play with,” Lowry said.