Streaking Grizzlies overpower Clippers
The Nanaimo Clippers upgraded their goaltending last weekend, but the addition of a 20-year-old former Western Hockey League netminder wasn’t enough to cool off the Victoria Grizzlies.
Taz Burman, who won his first two B.C. Hockey League games last weekend after joining the Clippers from WHL stops in Red Deer, Seattle and Swift Current, held the Grizzlies off the scoresheet until early in the second period when the visitors struck for two quick ones en route to handing the home team a 4-1 defeat at Frank Crane Arena.
The victory, the Grizzlies’ third straight, moved Victoria (10-6-1) into first place in the Island Division, one point up on Powell River, but the Kings have three games in hand. The Clippers fall to 7-8-0-1 on the season.
After David Melaragni beat Zack Rose in the Grizzlies’ net five minutes into the second period to give the Clippers the lead, Lach Hadley and Cole Noble scored 57 seconds part to send the Grizzlies on their way.
Twenty-year-old Ethan Nother then went to work on a Grizzlies’ power play and converted a Alex Newhook feed just 55 seconds into the third period to give Victoria a much-needed insurance goal. It was the London, Ont., native’s eighth goal of the season, tied for tops on the team. Nother then set up captain Lucas Clark for a power-play goal late in the third to round out the Grizzlies’ scoring.
Newhook finished with a pair of assists and the rookie continues to lead the Grizzlies in scoring with 20 points.
Rose finished with 30 saves, while Burman made 32 saves in the Clippers’ net.
The Grizzlies now return home to face the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday night at The Q Centre, followed by a Sunday afternoon tilt with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies were again without injured forwards Cam Thompson and Justin Michaelian. Defenceman Carter Berger also missed the game with an injury . . . . This weekend’s games are the start of a four-game homestand for the Grizzlies. They’ll also be at The Q Centre Nov. 3 against the Merritt Centennials and Nov. 5 against the Trail Smoke Eaters.