Grizzlies rally for win in Salmon Arm, first BCHL victory for Rancier

The Victoria Grizzlies were out for some revenge on Saturday night in Salmon Arm, and, while it took them a while, it was mission accomplished.

Led by their captain Alex Newhook, the Grizzlies scored twice in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit and then Newhook scored with a minute left in overtime to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 victory and their sixth straight win.

After losing 5-3 to the Silverbacks last month at the Bauer B.C. Hockey League Showcase, the Grizzlies (8-3) have now rolled off six straight wins.

But it was slow going in Salmon Arm to start with as Trevor Adams ignited the Silverbacks’ offence, beating Grizzlies rookie netminder Keenan Rancier 12 minutes into the middle period. Two minutes later, it was Matthew Verboon with a shorthanded marker that put the Silverbacks (5-5) up 2-0.

But with six minutes left in the third, Newhook, projected to go in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft, buried a wrap-around goal to start the comeback. That was followed a minute later by the Campbell brothers teaming up with Charlie setting up Alex for his sixth goal of the season to send the game to the extra frame.

Rancier got the win in goal for the Grizzlies, making 31 saves for his first BCHL victory. Ethan Langenegger took the loss while making 29 saves.

The Grizzlies wrap up their three-games-in-three-days road trip this afternoon in West Kelowna against the Warriors. The Grizzlies then return home to prepare for a home-and-home set with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs beginning Friday night at The Q Centre.