Above Photo: Sophiesphotographys
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies get set to host the Coquitlam Express in game five of the Coastal Conference Quarter Final tonight from the Q Centre at 7:00 PM and the series tied at two-a-piece.
Victoria looked well in the drivers seat after two games leading the series 2-0 however Coquitlam held in after Grizzlies barrages in game three and four to hold on and win both games. Victoria will certainly feel as though they deserved a better fate after game three and four losses as they outshot the Express a combined 118-51 in those two meetings. Their three goals on 118 shots in games three and four will certainly be something they look to improve on.
Victoria will hope that some home cookin’ will be just what the team needs to get back in the win column and lead this series as they are 2-0 so far at the Q Centre and 4-0 against Coquitlam this year at home. Victoria will however be given a tough task against an Express team that will have some confidence going back on the road after two wins in a row to tie things up.
Jack Sullivan was the hero for Coquitlam on Wednesday night as his overtime winner 1:17 into the extra frame was the only goal that the game would see. The true game changer was Andrew Ness between the pipes, however as he dropped an unholy 63 save shutout on the Grizzlies heads who struggled to penetrate the middle of the ice and create havoc. A major key to victory for them this evening will be getting to the net and creating traffic.
It was been a wild start to the BCHL playoffs as looking at the Interior Conference, the sixth seed Sherwood Park Crusaders swept the third seed Salmon Arm Silverbacks while the number one seed Penticton Vees did much of the same to the number eight seed Okotoks Oilers. In the Coastal Conference Cowichan (3rd seed) leads the Nanaimo Clippers (6th seed) three games to one in their series while the number seven seed Alberni Valley Bulldogs have taken a three to one lead over the second seed Surrey Eagles. The number eight seed Prince George Spruce Kings won their second straight on Wednesday night to level their series with the Conference winning Chiefs at two a piece.
2024-25 Team Ranks (Post Season)
| Victoria | Coquitlam | |
| Goals For Per Game | 2.50 (T-13th) | 3.00 (T-9th) |
| Goals Against Per Game | 2.75 (T-5th) | 2.50 (T-3rd) |
| Power Play Percentage | 11.1% (T-13th) | 15.4% (10th) |
| Penalty Kill Percentage | 84.6% (6th) | 88.9% (T-3rd) |
| Penalty Minutes Per Game | 8.50 (T-5th) | 7.00 (3rd) |
| Home Record | 2-0 (T-1st) | 2-0 (T-1st) |
| Away Record | 0-2 (T-9th) | 0-2 (T-9th) |
| Playoff Record Last Five Post Seasons | 17-26 (.395) | 14-18 (.438) |
