Chapman stands tall as Grizzlies claw back

Cleve Dheensaw / Times Colonist

MARCH 19, 2018 10:45 PM

In a battle of steely wills in the crease, Kurtis Chapman’s proved the steeliest.

He wouldn’t have been out of place in Hamilton or Pittsburgh.

Chapman, who overcame the loss of his best friend in an Alberta car crash at the beginning of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs, made 35 saves to backstop the Victoria Grizzlies to a 3-1 victory on Monday evening at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River as he returned to the crease after an injury in Game 1 of the series sent him to the sidelines.

The result narrowed Powell River’s lead in the best-of-seven Island Division final to 2-1.

Powell River goaltender Matteo Paler-Chow, the difference in the first two games of the series at The Q Centre, made 32 saves and was named third star to Chapman’s first-star accolade. Going into the game, the whippet-quick five-foot-11, 180-pound Vancouver-native Paler-Chow sported a lights-out 1.89 goals-against average and .944 save percentage.

“Paler-Chow was good again, but Kurtis [Chapman] stepped up to the task tonight,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.

The road remained kind for Victoria, which is 3-1 in the playoffs away from home, and only 2-4 at The Q Centre.

“We’ve been tighter on the road and it seems to bring us together,” said Didmon. “But it’s also because we seem to get better deeper into each series.”

The sixth goal of the playoffs by Powell River’s Ben Berard, committed to Cornell of the NCAA for 2019-20, at 11:51 of the first period stood as the difference entering the third period Monday. Cameron Thompson’s short-handed goal tied it for Victoria at 4:58 of the third period before Marty Westhaver scored the winner at 15:20. Thompson then added an empty-netter for the latter’s second goal of the night and seventh of the playoffs.

“We had a lot of chances, and hit five posts, and carried the play,” said Didmon.

“It was a matter of if we get one, we’ll get the others, and then we get our opening goal short-handed, of all things.”

Game 4 is tonight in Powell River and the fifth game Friday night at The Q Centre.

ROUND 2 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

  • Tuesday, March 20 in Powell River 7pm – Viewing Party at City Centre Grille
  • Friday, March 23 in Victoria at the Q Centre Arena – 7pm 
  • Saturday, March 24 in Powell River 7pm *
  • Monday, March 26 in Victoria at the Q Centre Arena – Victoria 7pm  *

* If Necessary

BUY YOUR TICKETS 

Please call the Box Office at (250) 385-1555 to purchase the Family 4 Pack or buy single game tickets online: https://tickets.victoriagrizzlies.com

FAMILY 4 PACK TICKET PROMO FOR PLAYOFFS

The Grizzlies are pleased to announce the return of the Family 4 Pack Ticket Package for the playoffs.

For only $48 you will get:

  • 4 Hot Dogs
  • 4 Pops
  • 2 Bags of Popcorn
  • 2 Adult and 2 Child Tickets