Cleve Dheensaw
The Victoria Grizzlies slid to their fourth consecutive B.C. Hockey League defeat Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to the host Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Weyerhaeuser Arena.
The Bulldogs rode a 1-0 lead, on a goal by Booker Daniel at 9:28 of the second period, into the final frame. Connor Eddy tied it for Victoria at 6:49 of the third period with his 15th goal of the season before Alberni Valley won it on goals by Ethan Leyer and Kobe Assam. Grizzlies rookie star Matthew Wood scored his 20th goal of the season with two seconds remaining but it was too little and too late.
In the crease were the two Coastal Conference goaltenders selected for the BCHL top prospects game next month in Penticton. Kyle Kelsey made 30 saves for Victoria and Hobie Hedquist 29 for Alberni Valley.
The Grizzlies were 0-2 on the power play and Alberni Valley 1-4.
The Grizzlies fell to 12-14 on the season, and 3-8 in their last 11 games, while the Bulldogs moved to 13-8-3. The Grizzlies dropped to 2-3 against Alberni Valley this season.
Also on the Island on Wednesday, the Nanaimo Clippers (17-8) defeated the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-18-1) by a 6-3 count.
The Grizzlies, in their last game before the New Year, host the Clippers on Saturday night at The Q Centre.
