Above Photo: Grizzlies forward Reegan Hisock (#17) in action against Cowichan Valley last year during the Grizzlies annual “Grizzmas” Game.
Duncan, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies get set to take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals tonight from the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan in another BCHL exhibition game.
The Grizzlies fell at the hands of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night 3-2 in a close game from Port Alberni.
“I thought it looked like a pre-season game,” said Head Coach Rylan Ferster, “ It was a little bit scrabbly, and there was some nervousness for some guys.”
That is certainly not surprising when realizing that Victoria iced 13 players who have never played at the BCHL level.
Victoria will look to bounce back against a Cowichan Valley Capitals team that defeated the Nanaimo Clippers last night; 6-3 from the Frank Crane Arena.
Cowichan (much like Victoria) has undergone many changes off the ice during the off season. Their major changes include new ownership, a very new roster and (unlike Victoria) a new head coach. Cam Keith is the man who heads up the on ice product for the Caps now after winning the BCHL championship last year with the Surrey Eagles.
Finding the back of the net for Victoria last night were; Nathan Taylor (who the Grizzlies signed from Merritt last year) and Tom Molson (an impressive talent from Deerfield Academy).
Jason Cai was spectacular in goal, making 42 saves on 45 shots. Victoria seems as though they will have an elite pairing between Cai and perennial goaltender of the year candidate Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.
The Grizzlies could not be more excited about their returning players and Ferster echoed that. “I thought that all of our returning players looked great.”
The puck drops at 7:00 PM tonight.
