Victoria Grizzlies News
YOUNG GRIZZLIES STILL FINDING THEIR WAYOctober 10, 2009 Ron Rauch ©Times Colonist - With a rookie-laden team like the Victoria Grizzlies, some growing pains were expected in the B.C. Hockey League. In their first nine games, the Grizzlies have posted a record of four wins, three losses and two ties to sit in sixth place in the Coastal Conference. In the last three games at Bear Mountain Arena, the performance of their specialty teams has been very shaky. The power play has gone silent (0-for-15) and the visiting teams have capitalized with the man advantage. “In my first year with the Grizzlies, it probably took me until Christmas to feel somewhat comfortable in the league,’’ said thirdyear defenceman and Grizz captain Jordan Heywood. “We have a very young team and it will take some time to get to know all the different personalities and to build some chemistry. Some of our young guys like Novakowski [Dylan], Lowry [Joel] and Bacon [Derek] are really flying for us. It does take some time to adjust to this level of play and everyone is different in doing that. For us to be successful, we’ll need those young guys to contribute. “Our power play is not clicking but I’m confident that it will come around.’’ Heywood leads the team in scoring with two goals and nine assists while Lowry is next with four goals and six assists. Another defenceman — Brad Pawlowski — is third with eight points on two goals and six helpers. “When I’m on the ice, I try not to over think,’’ said Heywood. “If the opportunity is there to get involved with the offence, I do. Right now, our D-men have been getting some of the bounces on offence.’’ The Grizzlies finish off their seven-game home stand tonight at the Bear against the Burnaby Express. Game time is 7:15. “Jordan [Heywood] is one of our leaders and he logs a lot of minutes,’’ said Grizz coach Vic Gervais. “He has the ability to take over control of a game. “Burnaby is big and they like to go to the net. They are also very good on the power play so we better improve that aspect of our game.’’ The Grizz did score five times in Tuesday’s 5-5 double overtime tie with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs but Victoria was outshot 43-28. “I have been stressing to the team that they have to shoot more,’’ said Gervais. “At times, we seem to be afraid to shoot.”
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