Mario Annicchiarico/ Times Colonist
Photograph By DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
DECEMBER 11, 2017 10:29 PM
After struggling through a five-game losing skid, the Victoria Grizzlies came up with two of their best offensive performances of the season over the weekend in key Island Division matchups.
After soundly defeating the Nanaimo Clippers 9-4 on Saturday, the Grizzlies followed it up with a 7-4 victory over the division-leading Powell River Kings on Sunday afternoon at The Q Centre.
The pivotal wins moves the Grizzlies to 16-14-3-1 in the B.C. Hockey League standings, still in third place, but just one point behind Nanaimo (16-12-3-2) and four points in arrears to Powell River (18-9-2-2). The Kings do have three games in hand on Victoria, while the Clippers have one.
On Sunday, Grizzlies forwards Cam Thompson, Lucas Clark and Jamie Rome broke the game open with goals in a 1:05 span in the opening seven minutes of the second period to assume a 6-2 advantage.
Rome finished the afternoon matinée with two goals and an assist, while 16-year-old star Alex Newhook added a goal and three helpers to finish his weekend with eight points in two nights to earn B.C. Hockey League player of the week honours on Monday. Justin Michaelian and Ethan Nother each had a goal and an assist.
Shawn O’Malley, who scored the teddy bear goal on Saturday night, added two assists on Sunday.
The Grizzlies are now 8-4-3-1 at The Q Centre.
Kurtis Chapman earned his second straight win in goal for the Grizzlies after coming over in a trade from the Alberta Junior Hockey League last week. He is now 2-1.
Defensively, the team can improve after allowing four goals in each of the two wins, but the offence managed to pull the team through and now prepares for a trip to Port Alberni on Wednesday. Victoria did manage to keep Powell River off the scoreboard in the third period.
Gavin Rauser, Josh Coblenz, Kyle Kawamura and Kevin Obssuth replied with the Kings’ goals.
Matteo Paler-Chow made the start in goal for the Kings, but lasted just 8:49 while allowing two goals on five shots. Derek Krall mopped up and made 32 saves while allowing five goals.
Both teams were without their usual starting netminders who are away with Team Canada West at the World Jr. A Hockey Challenge — Zack Rose for Victoria and Mitch Adamyk of Powell River. Both played for Canada West in Sunday’s opening 5-2 loss to Czech Republic in Truro, N.S.
Adamyk started the game and surrendered four goals on 17 shots while Rose stopped all nine shots he faced. The other Czech goal was an empty-netter.
In Friday’s 4-2 pre-tournament exhibition win over Russia, Rose again stopped all 12 shots he faced while Adamyk allowed two goals on 14 shots as the West team bounced back from an early 2-0 deficit.
Rose will likely earn the start tonight as Canada West faces the favoured U.S. team at the tournament, which runs until Saturday.
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