Cleve Dheensaw / Times Colonist
FEBRUARY 18, 2019 09:59 PM
Powell River Kings forward Ryan Brushett, named B.C. Hockey League player of the week, went off on the Victoria Grizzlies.
The 20-year-old recorded nine points in three games for the Kings last week, including a five-point performance with a hat trick and two assists Sunday in an 8-3 win against their Island Division-rival Grizzlies.
All three Victoria goals were scored by defencemen — Nico Somerville, Kenny Johnson and Brady MacDonald.
Zack Rose started in goal for the Grizzlies but was replaced by Kurtis Chapman midway through the first period after allowing four goals on 11 shots.
Matteo Paler-Chow picked up the win in goal for the Kings, making 32 saves.
This was Brushett’s second BCHL player of the week honour. He previously won the award on Nov. 26.
The NCAA Nebraska-Omaha committed Brushett helped move the Kings to within four points of the Grizzlies for first place in the Island Division, with three games remaining and a game in hand.
The Montreal native is second in BCHL scoring with 82 points in 53 games. Brushett, however, is well behind league points leader Alex Newhook of Victoria, who is showing why he is projected for the first round of the 2019 NHL draft. Newhook picked up two assists in the Grizzlies’ loss Sunday and now has 94 points atop the BCHL, 12 points clear of Brushett.
Bruschett leads the league in goals with 40, four more than Mike Hardman of West Kelowna and five more than Newhook.
Newhook and the Grizzlies next see action at home Friday night at The Q Centre against the Nanaimo Clippers. Victoria wraps up the regular season on Sunday afternoon when the Cowichan Valley Capitals pay a visit to The Q Centre.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies were minus assistant captain Ryan Nolan, who is suspended pending review of a hit-the-head major that was assessed during Saturday’s game against Alberni Valley. . . . The Kings were supposed to play their game in hand on the Grizzlies on Monday in Port Alberni, but ferry cancellations prevented Powell River from making it to Comox. The game will be rescheduled for a later date.
© 2019 Copyright Times Colonist
