At 24-22-2-3 coming in, it wasn’t so much the Coquitlam Express’s wins and losses tally that has frightened their B.C. Hockey League opponents this 2013-14 season.
It’s the statistic just a couple of columns over to the right that usually captures a team’s attention.
With 197 goals scored coming into Saturday night, Coquitlam was the No. 1-scoring team in the Junior A circuit. Of course, the Express had also allowed 203 against, the third highest in the BCHL.
So it was with some trepidation that the Victoria Grizzlies slipped on their pink jerseys (which they will wear for the rest of their home games this month for cancer awareness) and attempted to derail the Express at Bear Mountain Arena.
The scoring train never really left the platform for either team as the Grizzlies squeezed out a 3-1 win before 1,513 fans.
Leo Fitzgerald, in just his third game back from injury and eighth game of the campaign, scored his first of the season at 7:21 of the third period to break a 1-1 tie and added an empty-netter. Reunited with his triplet brothers Myles and Gerry, the three combined for seven points in the victory, which snapped a three-game losing skid at home.
“It’s about time. It’s nice to contribute to the team and be a part of it,” said the relieved scorer. “It’s nice to be with the guys when we win, and it’s nice to be a part of the team instead of a super fan.”
It’s not as if he hasn’t had his opportunities of late. He was kept scoreless in a 9-5 win in Port Alberni last Saturday, though.
“I’ve had a lot of chances. It was a matter of getting the puck through. I just told myself as long as I’m working hard, it will come. That’s all I had to do was do the right things. There’s not much else you can ask for,” he said.
Mark Whiteley opened the scoring for Coquitlam as his shot deflected off a Grizzlies defenceman and past goaltender Nic Renyard at 7:38 of the first period. Victoria outshot the visitors 17-11 in the frame but trailed 1-0.
It remained that way until Gerry Fitzgerald finally solved Express goalie Gordie Defiel at 18:19 of the second period as Victoria outshot Coquitlam 36-18 after two periods.
That’s when Leo Fitzgerald’s efforts came through as Victoria outshot Coquitlam 48-31 overall as Defiel shone. Renyard, however, made a glorious glove save off Adam Rockwood with 7:59 to go with Victoria up 2-1.
The Grizzlies now play host to Island Division leading Powell River this afternoon at 1.
“It’s going to be big. It will be a rough battle to get that win,” Leo Fitzgerald said of the matchup.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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