Victoria Grizzlies News

GRIZZLIES EAGER TO TAKE SHOW ON THE ROAD

GRIZZLIES EAGER TO TAKE SHOW ON THE ROAD

October 23, 2009 Sharie Epp ©Times Colonist -

When the focus is teambuilding, on and off the ice, there’s no place like the road.

The Victoria Grizzlies are touring the Lower Mainland this weekend, and they’re anticipating an opportunity to bond with teammates, and, hopefully, put a few points on the scoreboard.

“When you’re at home, all the guys go their separate ways after practice,” assistant captain Alex Allan said, talking about the excitement in the dressing room as the team packed for the trip to Surrey, Langley and Burnaby. “On the road, everyone’s together all day.”

Coach Victor Gervais agreed, adding the tendency is often for teams to play better on the road, because nobody is trying to be a hero in front of family and friends.

“At home they want to be ‘that guy.’ On the road they play hard and play the systems.”

The road theory is being put to the test quickly, though, since the Grizzlies start off the trip tonight by playing the Surrey Eagles, the top team in the B.C. Hockey League Coastal Conference at 13-5-0-1. They visit Langley tomorrow and wrap up in Burnaby on Sunday.

The experienced Eagles feature former Grizzlies Chris Santiago and Grant Toulmin, both 20, as two of their top four scorers.

Allan said the Grizzlies need to be aggressive right from the opening faceoff to make a statement in Surrey. The strategy is one the Penticton Vees, ranked No. 4 in the country, used to perfection in getting the early jump on the Grizz in a 3-1 victory over the home team at Bear Mountain on Wednesday. The Grizzlies matched them in the second and third frames, but were unable to recoup the early goals.

“It was a tough loss, but a good loss in some ways,” said Allan, the player of the week in the BCHL, for his seven-point performance last weekend. “It was a good test to see where we stand in the league.”

The Grizzlies, 7-5-1-1, are in fourth place in the Coastal Conference, and one way they figure to improve their fortunes is to keep things simple

and work as a team.

“I think we just need to start putting simple shots at the net, instead of making the extra move,” Allan said. “We need to work together as five players on the ice.”