GRIZZLIES DUMP KINGS TO FORCE DECIDING GAME

The Victoria Grizzlies’ hopes of riding to a 2012-13 B.C. Hockey League championship crown remain alive after surviving an elimination game Tuesday at Hap Parker Arena.

An impressive 5-1 victory over the Powell River Kings keeps the Island Division regular-season champs breathing, with the best-of-five opening series now tied 2-2 and the decider set for tonight at 7:15 at Bear Mountain Arena.

The Grizzlies’ box office will open at 10 a.m. today for tickets.

Victoria had lost two straight to the four-time defending Coastal Conference-champion Kings before bouncing back on Tuesday. Unlike the previous two outings, the Grizzlies struck first as Pearce Eviston notched his first of the post-season at 5:05 of the opening frame — a period in which the visitors out-shot the Kings just 5-4.

Victoria was also handed a full two-minute two-man advantage early in the second period, but failed to cash in. However, Leo Fitzgerald made it 2-0 on a power play at 16:16 of the middle stanza.

David Mazurek, Fitzgerald (with his second) and Nolan DeJong upped it to 5-0 within the first 3:34 of the third.

It was a tight game after 40 minutes, but the visitors got to Kings’ starting goalie Jonah Imoo, who was pulled after the fourth goal.

Jordan Burns broke Brady Rouleau’s shutout bid late as the Grizzlies’ netminder made 11 saves.

Meanwhile, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs also forced a fifth-and-deciding game with a 3-2 victory over the Clippers and return to Nanaimo tonight for Game 5.

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