Grizzlies feel the need for speed
GAME DAY: ALBERNI AT VICTORIA, 7 P.M.
When the Victoria Grizzlies head to the penalty box, they may be shorthanded, but the local B.C. Hockey League club is still a very lethal unit.
The 14-4-2-3 Grizzlies have the No. 1 penalty-killing unit in the league, successfully killing penalties at an 86.4 per cent clip, and have recorded eight goals while playing a man short — also No. 1 in the league.
The Grizzlies will face the 6-14-3-0 Alberni Valley Bulldogs — who have surrendered the most short-handed goals in the BCHL at nine — tonight at 7 p.m., before entertaining Powell River and Trail on Saturday and Sunday, at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, at The Q Centre.
“That was a big part of what I was working on this off-season, making sure I can come in and be an offensive factor this year,” said sophomore Grizzlies forward Keyvan Mokhtari, who has 10 goals this season, including a league-high four while skating shorthanded.
“Obviously, when you go on the kill you don’t expect to score, but it’s always nice to have that in the back of your mind where your penalty-killing unit can put up offensive points and help the team win.
“I think our team this year has a lot of speed, so other teams have to be aware of what we have and what we can bring to the table. As a unit it puts them off a little bit, and when they do break down our speed takes over and we get a lot of odd-man rushes off that.”
The Wenatchee Wild are No. 2 in penalty killing at 86.0 per cent overall. Victoria is No. 2 at home at 89.3 per cent, behind Surrey’s 91.7 per cent. On the road the Grizzlies are tied for No. 2, along with Alberni Valley, at 83.3 per cent behind Wenatchee’s 84.8 per cent.
“It’s a big factor when you can shut down a power play, it gives your team momentum,” said Mokhtari. “Shutting down the opposition power play is a big way for us to get wins in this league.”
The 18-year-old Mokhtari has played a big part in that and after a strong start to the season and a brief lull, he’s back playing at a level that is attracting NCAA schools. Mokhtari is hoping to go on a pair of school visits soon to plot out his future.
For now, he continues to play a vital role on the penalty kill.
Tonight, the Grizzlies face an Alberni Valley team that has struggled for the most part, losing all four times to Victoria, including 5-4, 6-2 and 4-0 setbacks at The Q Centre and a 6-3 loss at home. The Bulldogs recently snapped an 11-game losing streak with backto-back wins before losing 6-2 and 7-0 at home last weekend to Surrey and Langley.
Victoria then faces Powell River on Saturday for the third time in four outings, splitting last weekend at Hap Parker Arena.
“You can never underestimate Alberni, even though they are having a bit of a rough season,” said Mokhtari. “Powell River is right there with us for first in our division and we owe Trail a win. We’ve lost to them a couple of times and it’s time to show them our full capabilities as a team.”
It’s also parents’ weekend for the Grizzlies, who will be kept busy over the three days.