VICTORIA 6 POWELL RIVER 2
If this doesn’t spark a little animosity, nothing will.
The Victoria Grizzlies struck early and often in handing their Island Division rival Powell River Kings a resounding 6-2 thumping on Saturday night at Bear Mountain Arena.
It was the first of four straight head-to-head games for the B.C. Hockey League clubs in a quirky bit of scheduling. The Grizzlies travel to Powell River for a pair next weekend before the Kings return to Victoria on Feb. 5, in a stretch that will surely create even more hatred between the two organizations.
David Mazurek, who capitalized on a wild scramble to stake the Grizz to a 1-0 lead at 5:54 of the first period, had two goals and two assists as he has filled in on the triplets’ line, replacing Gerry Fitzgerald who is out with an injury.
“With Gerry out, I was able to step up and play out of my comfort zone,” said Mazurek. “Those little guys know where I’m going to be and it makes the game a little more fun.”
Myles Fitzgerald extended his point streak to nine games with four assists and Leo Fitzgerald had a goal and a helper as the line collected 10 points.
Defenceman Blake Thompson had a pair of goals for Victoria while Mark McLellan added another as the Grizz led 2-0 and 6-0 by periods.
Brady Rouleau had his shutout bid snapped with 5:50 to go by Jordan Benton and Evan Richardson added a short-handed goal on a 5-on-3 with 25.1 seconds left.
“I feel bad that we hung [Rouleau] out to dry with those last two goals,” Mazurek said.
“Brady’s sort of biting his lip in [the dressing room], but we gave him the hardest working award tonight.”
Back-to-back fights broke out midway through the final frame.
Victoria, which now has points in its last 10 outings and has clinched a playoff spot, remains tied with Penticton for first place overall in the BCHL, but does have a game in hand on the Vees.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter/tc_vicsports
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SCORING SUMMARY |
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PERIOD 1 |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 5:54 (PP) – David Mazurek from Zach Urban and Myles Fitzgerald |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 15:18 (PP) – Blake Thompson from David Mazurek and Myles Fitzgerald |
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PERIOD 2 |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 0:40 – Leo Fitzgerald from Myles Fitzgerald and David Mazurek |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 6:54 – Blake Thompson from Chris Albertini and Dante Hahn |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 9:06 (PP) – Mark McLellan from Nolan DeJong and Pearce Eviston |
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Victoria Grizzlies at 16:24 – David Mazurek from Myles Fitzgerald and Leo Fitzgerald |
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PERIOD 3 |
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Powell River Kings at 14:10 – Jordan Benton from Landon Robin |
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Powell River Kings at 19:35 (SH) – Evan Richardson (unassisted) |
