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Game Day Preview: Grizzlies at Clippers January 31, 2025

 

Victoria, BC ~ “It isn’t about if you lose it is about how you respond to it.” The Grizzlies hope that tonight they can prove the worth of this quote derived from the Greek philosopher Epictetus after Saturday evening’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Langley Rivermen.

 

Victoria enters tonight’s contest in Nanaimo, from the Frank Crane Arena, having picked up points in six straight games and holding a 6-1-1 record in their last eight outings. That strong run as of late was started on December 14th in Nanaimo when Victoria came away with a 7-2 victory before heading to the Christmas break.

 

They will look to reincarnate that evening where everything seemed to be going in, tonight against a Nanaimo team hoping to build off a resounding 6-1 win on Wednesday night against the Prince George Spruce Kings. Victoria will see Prince George tomorrow night at the Q Centre in Victoria. The Clippers got goals from; Justin Collings (1,2), Chase Hull (8), Connor DeTurris (12), Carson Lesiuk (6) and Makaio Van Tassel (6).

 

 Victoria will have to be on their special teams game as Nanaimo holds the best power-play by a wide margin in the Coastal Conference at 32.5%. That mark is second only to Sherwood Park’s 35.1% in the entirety of the BCHL. Nanaimo’s penalty kill has also been very strong this year with a success rate of 81.3% which is second to the Grizzlies 82.6% in the Coastal Conference. Victoria is 0 for their last 9 opportunities on the man advantage and are 8th in the BCHL with a PP% of 23.8%.

 

The Grizzlies will hope that Chase Pirtle continues his hot streak as he is second in the BCHL for longest current point streaks at 10 games. He has three goals and 16 points in that span. Someone else hot to look out for in the Victoria line up is 18 year old Slovakian national, Tobias Pitka. Pitka has four goals in his last three games (including both of Victoria’s goals against Langley on Saturday) while recording 6 points in 4 games since returning from representing Slovakia at the World Juniors in Ottawa.

 

Victoria has been acceptable at home so far this year (10-4-4) and only growing more confident with a recent surge in attendance. Since returning from the Christmas break, Victoria is at an average attendance of 1,160 (up 30% since the first half). It would appear as though the city has caught on to the best bang for buck entertainment in Langford/Colwood/Westshore while rallying around a team based on fun for youth and winning games.

 

Almost more impressive is Victoria’s record away from the Q Centre so far this year. The Grizzlies hold the 6th best record in the BCHL away from home (10-5-1), hoping that that good fortune as road warriors will continue tonight.

 

Victoria currently trails the Surrey Eagles in the Coastal Conference standings, vying for second place. The Eagles sit ahead of Victoria by two points however the Grizzlies have three games in hand. Surrey will not be in action until Sunday in Powell River. Victoria is five points behind the Conference leading Chilliwack Chiefs, while holding one game in hand. 

Puck drop goes at 7:00 PM tonight from the Frank Crane arena and you can listen live with Tom Wilke by clicking HERE.