It wasn’t exactly clear just what effect the afternoon firing of Victoria Grizzlies general manager and head coach Bill Bestwick would have on the B.C. Hockey League club, which played host to the Nanaimo Clippers on Tuesday evening.
It became evident early it would be a disjointed night as the more than slightly shocked Grizzlies clawed their way back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in a gritty 4-2 win over their Island Division rivals. It was the seventh straight victory over the Clippers this season, but played before just a few hundred fans at Bear Mountain Arena.
The Grizzlies appeared a little dazed and unfocused at times — with every reason to be — as some weren’t even aware of the firing until they got to the rink in the late afternoon.
But they went out and won it with Craig Didmon assuming the head coaching role and Scott Hawthorne moving down to the bench from the press box.
“It was a shocker in the locker-room, when we got here we were all a little startled,” said defenceman Brandon Egli, who had a Gordie Howe hat-trick with a goal, assist and fight. “I’ve played for Didmon before and he can run a team real well.
“I think we came together as a group and gave a Grade A effort,” continued Egli. “I know I was shocked. I know Bill has done a lot for every kid in that room.
“It was tougher to focus. I saw him in the stands there, too, so I think the whole team wanted to get him that win, for sure.”
The buzz at The Bear was all about the change at the top, with Pete Zubersky taking over as director of operations and relieving Bestwick of his duties in the afternoon. The fired coach sat in the stands and said goodbyes in the dressing room afterward.
“We were a little nervous early, a lot of tension through the day with different things going on,” said Didmon. “But I thought we settled down.
“It shows their maturity, the way they were able to turn it around. A lot of guys were struggling with emotions through the day. They haven’t gone through an experience like this. We were a little disjointed a few hours ago, but we feel tight now and I appreciate the effort they put in.”
Didmon admitted it was a difficult day for all involved. The team wasn’t even told about the move, instead getting the information through social media as news travelled quickly.
Korey Morgan opened the scoring early for the Clippers, at 2:05 of the first period, about 12 minutes before the first chants of “Bring back Bill” came up from some unruly fans.
They were on their feet cheering when Egli tied it at 1:09 of the second, but miserable again when Eric Margo made it 2-1 Nanaimo at 3:51 of the second.
Dante Hahn tied it at 2-2 at 6:38 of the third on a snap shot and added the game-winner, this time on a backhand deke, top shelf, at 9:05. Jesse Schwartz added an empty-netter at 19:34 and goaltender Alec Dillon was solid again.
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