Victoria Grizzlies News

CLIPPERS EDGE PAST GRIZZLIES

CLIPPERS EDGE PAST GRIZZLIES

Late goal source of controversy

January 31, 2010 Sharie Epp ©Times Colonist -

For only the second time this season, the Nanaimo Clippers got the best of the Victoria Grizzlies. On a late, controversial goal, the Clippers defeated the Victoria Grizzlies 4-3 last night at Bear Mountain Arena, posting just their third win in 23 games.

“I don’t think our record has been indicative of our play,” Clippers assistant coach Chris Kestrel said. “We’ve been one shot or one save away, and tonight we found a way to win.”

The Grizzlies trailed throughout the game, until defence Brad Pawlowski fired a wicked slapshot to even the score at 3-3 on a power play at 18:24 of the third period.

With overtime looming, a scrum around goaltender Ryan Holfeld in the Victoria net, resulted in the second of the night for former Grizzlie Teal Burns. The Grizzlies argued about the goal — some onlookers thought it might have been kicked in — but the light went on.

“It counted,” Kestell said, with a smile.

The Grizzlies will attempt to regroup when they play host to Prince George on Sunday at Bear Mountain, facing off at 4:30 p.m. Victoria remains two points back of the Chiefs, in fourth place in the B.C. Hockey League Coastal Conference.

Normally, it’s not difficult for the Grizzlies to be primed for their edgy rivalry with the Clippers, but they didn’t seem to have much zip last night. By the end of two periods, the Grizzlies had only produced 14 shots on goal, compared with 25 for the visitors.

Colton Cyr started things off for the Clippers, beating Holfeld at 16:02 of the first period, and adding another on a rebound at 8:57 of the second. Down 2-0, the Grizzlies had a quick spark, and a nice rush netted Madison Dias the home side’s first marker just 36 seconds later.

It was a brief flare-up, however, and even on the power play, the Grizzlies couldn’t seem to get much happening around Nanaimo goaltender Loic Boivin.

The Clippers did better with the man advantage, when Burns deflected a shot into the Victoria net at 19:57 of the middle frame for a 3-1 lead. Brandon Fagerheim got Victoria within one at 5:44 of the third, and the Grizzlies turned on the jets, but not soon enough.

“The guys were hungrier on the puck tonight,” Kestell said. Bear tracks:

Victoria fans might want to take note of a couple of special dates coming up next month. Friday, Feb. 19, when the Powell River Kings come to town, is raincheck night, allowing everyone to make use of those unused tickets. On Saturday, Feb. 20, the final game fo the regular season schedule, the Grizzlies will play the Cowichan Valley Capitals and it’s all about fan appreciation.