Above Photo: Sophiesphotographys
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies got a game winner from Chase Pirtle with seven seconds remaining in the game to punch their ticket to the Conference Final.
Victoria jumped ahead late in the first period by way of Reegan Hiscock (6) who found a rebound off the end boards and beat Dylan Krick (Cowichan’s netminder). That tally had the home side up 1-0 after twenty minutes.
Victoria went up by two in the second period after a power play tally from Will Schumacher (2) sent the home crowd into a frenzy. They would then lead by three after a Dylan Krick blunder in the Capitals crease. Tobias Pitka (7) dribbled a puck along the ice before heading off on a change the puck somehow squeaked through Krick’s legs leaving him with his head in his hands.
Thankfully for him Hayden Russell (3) tipped a point shot from his twin brother James Russell home 1:27 after the Victoria third goal breath some life into the visitors heading into the second intermission down 3-1.
In the third period Cowichan, as they had all series, refused to go away and would get two goals in the last ten minutes to tie the game.
Nobody could have predicted the dramatic finish that was to come as Chase Pirtle (6) batted a puck home from the Grizzlies with seven seconds remaining on the game clock. The play would go to an extended review with everyone in the rink holding their breath before a dramatic point to the center ice dot signaled the legitimacy of their goal.
Victoria killed off the final seven seconds of the game and sent the Q Centre into a frenzy celebrating their advancement to the Coastal Conference Final for the first time since 2019.
Stay tuned on the Grizzlies website and social media for further information regarding the Grizzlies schedule in the conference final.
