Victoria Grizzlies News

SURGING BULLDOGS NIP GRIZZLIES

SURGING BULLDOGS NIP GRIZZLIES

November 07, 2009 Sharie Epp ©Times Colonist -

The Victoria Grizzlies spent the week recovering from the flu, and they looked like it.

Skating on legs that took too long to get in sync, the Grizzlies were defeated 4-2 by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night at Bear Mountain Arena.

“When you give them a 3-0 lead at the beginning of the game, and get outshot 15-7 in the first period, you’re not giving yourself a realistic chance of winning,” said Grizzlies coach Victor Gervais, whose team is back at the Bear today, taking on the Powell River Kings at 7:15 p.m. “[The Bulldogs] battled. They work hard.”

Alberni Valley coach Nolan Graham said he wanted to see his team be responsible with the puck, outwork Victoria and pressure with speed. The game was all of the above for the Bulldogs (11-7-1-1), who moved three points up on Victoria in fourth place in the B.C. Hockey League Coastal Conference.

“We want to be an honest team that forces other teams to play their best,” Graham said.

The Grizzlies, now 9-7-1-2, weren’t at their best, especially in the first period. The Grizz postponed last Saturday’s game with the Nanaimo Clippers, because half the team had the flu, and played on limited practice time.

Warren Muir sent a sharp-angled shot past Victoria goaltender Richard Virtanen at 7:55 of the first period to start things off, and just over a minute later, Virtanen lost a dribbling shot by Kevin Ross. A Bulldogs rush netted a goal by Jesse Halikas at 14:36, and Virtanen was replaced by Colin Fernandes.

The Grizzlies got on the board when lively call-up Jimmy Carter nailed one at 16:44.

The second period was scoreless, and by the third period, the Grizzlies had picked up their pace for the many moms and dads in attendance on parents weekend. It didn’t help, as the Grizzlies were frustrated by goaltender Frank Slubowski, who’s been a rock for the ’Dogs this season.

“He’s a young guy who’s carried a major load,” Graham said.

Johnny Rogic scored shorthanded and unassisted at 11:09 for the Bulldogs, and Victoria’s Brad Pawlowski beat a screened Slubowski at 15:07 to wind up the scoring.

BEAR TRACKS: Fans stood for a moment of silence for Debbie Cooper, who died last week of a heart attack. Cooper will be remembered as vibrant and tireless volunteer, particularly with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey and Lacrosse associations as well as the auto-racing community.