Grizzlies tangle with Island-rival Capitals

A string of four straight road games ended on a high note for the Victoria Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Duncan.

The Grizzlies, thanks to a goal and an assist from captain Alex Newhook, beat the Cowichan Valley Capitals 3-1 at the Island Savings Centre.

After a late-second-period goal by rookie Alex Campbell — his team-leading fifth of the season — drew the Grizzlies even at 1-1, winger Ryan Nolan gave the Grizzlies the lead for good with a power-play goal just 49 seconds into the third.

Newhook scored his second goal of the season midway through the third period to give the Grizzlies some breathing room.

Dimitri Mikrogiannakis gave the Capitals the lead with a powerplay goal 2:21 into the second period.

Kurtis Chapman picked up the win in goal for the Grizzlies, making 31 saves.

Jack Grant made 37 stops in the Caps’ net.

The win improves the Grizzlies’ record to 4-3, while the Capitals drop to 1-4-2 on the season.

The Grizzlies now return home for a pair of games.

Victoria will host the Powell River Kings on Friday night at The Q Centre, while the Chilliwack Chiefs visit on Sunday afternoon.

LOOSE PUCKS: Grizzlies centre Darwin Lakoduk was injured early in the second period and did not return. … The Grizzlies were 2-for-5 on the power play, while the Capitals were 1-for-3. … After this weekend’s games, the Grizzlies head out on a lengthy road trip that will take them to Prince George on Friday, Salmon Arm on Saturday and West Kelowna on Sunday.