Frustrated Grizzlies eager to regroup on the road

GAME DAY: VICTORIA AT NANAIMO, GAME 3 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena

The frustration showed in each and every one of their faces following Saturday’s 3-0 loss at home.

The story for the Victoria Grizzlies entering this opening best-of-seven series was pressure being squarely on them as they faced a Nanaimo Clippers team that was 30 points in arrears in the regular-season standings.

There was also the fact that the Grizzlies had won seven of eight previous matchups in 2016-17.

That all went out the window once the post-season started and, so far, the Grizzlies haven’t handled the pressure very well as their lack of B.C. Hockey League playoff experience — just three players have been there before — has shown.

“We’re getting frustrated and that’s showing. We just have to realize this is playoff hockey and the emotions are high — it’s time to check the ego at the door and get back to work,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon, following Saturday’s setback.

That defeat tied the series at 1-1 with Game 3 tonight in Nanaimo.

“I think it’s just the higher emotional level that’s out there,” Didmon added of his team’s frustration with its inability to score. “They’re battling. Nanaimo is a tough team to play against. They’re really working hard to shut down our offensive guys and so far they’ve had their success.

“It was a good thing that we had a couple of days off. We just have to clear our heads and get back to work [in practice on Monday] and go in there Tuesday and win in a tough place.”

The power play has struggled mightily so far, going 0-for-11 in the first two games. Nanaimo scored twice with the man advantage in Game 2.

“It’s one of those things. They can win or lose a series for you so we have to figure that out pretty quick,” Didmon added of special teams. “For them to play with us they have to take more penalties, they have to take calls as we go to the net and we have to take advantage of that.”

And that falls on the Grizzlies’ top players, who have faltered so far.

“When you get one goal in six periods, your best players haven’t been your best players. At the same time, they’re working hard, they’re putting the effort out and hopefully they get some luck,” said Didmon, who suggested his team may have taken the Clippers too lightly.

“I think they felt as a group in the room, that Game 1 was a monkey off their backs, and then they were going to go out and get up two games. In the playoffs, it’s tough to sweep a team and now we’re tied at one,” said Didmon. “We worked hard for home-ice advantage and we just gave it up so we have to go back to work and get it back.”

The good news is the Grizzlies have not lost in Nanaimo this season.

“It’s a tough place to play. They’ll have a big crowd and we’ve opened the door for them. Our backs are against the wall now, too,” said Didmon.

As for the Clippers, they are right where they want to be, having lost the first one by a 1-0 score, but swiping Game 2.

“Just because we’re changing rinks doesn’t mean it’s going to get any simpler for us. We have to continue to battle. I like our team’s attitude right now. We’re focused and playing as hard as we can,” said Clippers GM and head coach Mike Vandekamp.

“It’s only home-ice advantage if you take advantage of it. That’s the goal next, to take this momentum,” he added. “Obviously, when you have it, you probably didn’t want two days off in between, but that’s the way it is. We’ll keep our boys sharp and be ready for them on Tuesday.”

The series has been a feisty affair with the benches even chirping each other early on.

“So far we’ve stuck to our plan. We’d like to stay out of the box a little bit more,” said Vandekamp. “You can’t take as many penalties as we have in two games or their power play is going to eventually click.”