Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies host the Cowichan Valley Capitals tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Q Centre in Colwood with eyes for a series tied at two at the end of the evening.
Carson Lesiuk’s overtime goal at 2:22 of the fourth period last night, pulled the Grizzlies back into the series after losing the opening two on hostile ground in Duncan. That was Lesiuk’s second goal of the game and third point, making for a memorable evening for the six-foot-three forward from Duncan. Victoria will have to rebound quickly and need to put another strong effort together against a Capitals team that will have some extra motivation.
Cowichan Valley will be without first ling winger Tristan Gravenor who took a huge hit from Grizzly forward Michael Dowdall last night along the glass on the Grizzlies blueline. Victoria will also be without a body as Dowdall was issued a two game suspension this morning for that check. The Grizzlies were able to kill off the full five minute major in the third period yesterday and hold onto a 3-3 tie at the time.
Mikus Vecvanags put together a performance that will go into the Grizzlies record books last night. The Latvian goaltender made the third most saves in a playoff game in franchise history by stopped 54 Cowichan shots. The record is held by Keyvan Hunt who stopped 74 on March 24, 2006 in a 4-3 overtime win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
With the series now at 2-1 Cowichan Valley, the Grizzlies have a chance to tie things tonight and flip the pressure onto the Capitals who would be stunned to go back home back at square one. It will stand and end with the defensive zone for the Grizzlies who will aim the concentration towards getting the puck out effectively while attempting to catch the aggressive Capitals off the rush. All four of their goals last night came off the rush due too overcommitted Caps players.
The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and you can get your tickets RIGHT HERE.
2026 Playoff Ranks
| Victoria | Cowichan Valley | |
| Goals For Per Game | 2.33 (T-9th) | 4.00 (3rd) |
| Goals Against Per Game | 4.00 (14th) | 2.33 (T-7th) |
| Power Play Percentage | 14.3% (9th) | 40% (1st) |
| Penalty Kill Percentage | 60% (16th) | 85.7% (8th) |
| Penalty Minutes Per Game | 8.33 (14th) | 4.67 (16th) |
| Home Record | 1-0 (T-1st) | 2-0 (T-1st) |
| Away Record | 0-2 (T-10th) | 0-1 (T-10th) |
| Playoff Record Last Five Post-Seasons | 17-27 (.386) | 9-10 (.474) |
