Grizzlies roar past Warriors
VICTORIA 7 WEST KELOWNA 3
There was something Bruin’ at The Q Centre on Friday night.
And it resulted in another victory for the red-hot Victoria Grizzlies. Despite a blip in the first period, the Grizzlies — sporting their new Boston Bruins-like black and gold third jerseys — got three points from defenceman Dayne Finnson to beat the visiting West Kelowna Warriors 7-3 in front of 985 fans.
The victory pushed the Grizzlies’ unbeaten streak to eight games and improves Victoria’s record to 21-14-3-2 as they remain two points back of the Nanaimo Clippers in the race for the B.C. Hockey League’s Island Division title. The Clippers beat Alberni Valley 8-3 on Friday.
The Grizzlies stormed the Warriors (18-18-1-1) early, with Jamie Rome and Finnson scoring 16 seconds apart just two minutes after the drop of the puck. And just when it looked like it would be a rout, Warriors coach Rylan Ferster called a timeout and it sparked his club. West Kelowna scored three straight goals, including two on the power play by Jared Marino and Stephen Kleysen, and a evenstrength marker from Chase Dubois to give the visitors the lead midway through the period.
The Warriors’ rally also meant the end of Grizzlies starting netminder Kurtis Chapman’s night as he was replaced by a still-under-the-weather Zack Rose. Rose, making his first appearance since winning the gold medal with Team Canada West at last month’s World Junior A Challenge, went the rest of the way, stopping all 20 shots he faced.
The Grizzlies’ top line of Rome, Alex Newhook and Ethan Nother had another big night. The three combined for six points, with Rome and Newhook getting a goal and an assist each, and Nother chipping in two assists. The 16-year-old Newhook came into the game fifth in league scoring and the Newfoundland product now has 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points this season.
Justin Michaelian also got his 17th of the season, scoring with 55 seconds left in the second period to put the Grizzlies up 5-3.
T.J. Friedmann and Cam Thompson rounded out the Grizzlies’ scoring.
The Grizzlies now get the weekend off before hosting the Clippers on Tuesday at The Q Centre.