Finnson the hero, Pickup hits milestone in Grizzlies’ win

There were a lot of distractions at Frank Crane Arena on Friday night. Not to mention a few skirmishes, scuffles and scraps.Stanley Cup champion Willie Mitchell was on hand, along with a good portion of the Hometown Hockey crew that is filming in Nanaimo this weekend, including former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean, who was also in the house.

The Victoria Grizzlies remained focused on the task at hand, defeating the Nanaimo Clippers 3-2 in double overtime in the second to last B.C. Hockey League regular-season game for both clubs, who return to The Q Centre tonight to cap the 206-17 campaign.

Dayne Finnson ended this one with a wrist shot with 13 seconds remaining in the second extra session.

Friday’s result was also a preview of the first-round playoff matchup in the Island Division, which generated several altercations as both teams attempted to set the tone. Even Grizzlies netminder Tony Rehm got into the action in a feisty middle period, ejected from the game while up 2-1 with 5:40 to go in the stanza which featured 13 minor penalties, two majors, two misconducts and four game misconducts.

“I guess we know what their game plan is for the playoffs,” Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon said of the fisticuffs. “There was a lot of energy in the building and we came out quick. The penalties got in the way. I guess it’s their job to get under the skin of our players and, momentarily, it might have worked, but we showed we’re above and beyond that.”

First-period goals from Nathan Looysen and Lucas Clark gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage.

Cole Pickup earned an assist on the first goal to move into the all-time points lead while wearing the Grizzlies uniform at 155. Jake Stevens had a helper on the second goal to move within two points of Lee Baldwin’s mark for most points in one season by a Grizzlies defenceman. Both records do not include the Salsa years.

Lucas Finner and Sean Buchanan replied in the second period for the Clippers, who will finish fourth and face the first-place Grizzlies in the best-of-seven opening series beginning next Friday in Colwood.