Grizzlies fend off Vipers

With the importance of securing first place in the Island Division of the B.C. Hockey League first and foremost on their agenda, the Victoria Grizzlies set out on their final lengthy road trip of the regular season on Friday in Vernon.

T.J. Friedmann and Cody Van Lierop scored 1:01 apart early in the first period and Keyvan Mokhtari added one late in the opening stanza as the visitors skated off with a 4-2 victory at Kal Tire Place.

The win, combined with Powell River’s 5-1 victory over Nanaimo, leaves the Grizzlies just one point away from clinching top spot in the division and that can come tonight in West Kelowna.

“We know we have a lot to play for,” said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon. “There is a lot up for grabs, playing for the division. There’s a lot to play for with all these teams jockeying for positions as well. I’m expecting a difficult weekend.”

The Grizzlies took advantage of some shaky goaltending as the Vipers dressed backup Ty Taylor, who gave up two goals on the first three shots. Meanwhile, Matthew Galajda shone making 35 saves, 29 over the first two periods.

Ryan Brushett finally got the Vipers on the scoreboard on a power-play goal midway through the third. Brett Stapley added another on a man advantage with 3:37 to go. Nathan Looysen closed it out with an empty-netter with 20 seconds remaining.

Victoria will close out the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Penticton.

“Vernon is a very good hockey club, one of the strongest teams in the second half,” Didmon said. “And then Penticton, like Vernon, we beat last time [2-1 in overtime], along with West Kelowna, so you know they’re all going to be hungry and they’re not going to take us for granted.”