Like a wild western movie script, it was clear that the Victoria Grizzlies and Langley Rivermen were going to shoot until one was left standing on Saturday night in Langley.
From the time the puck dropped in the first period, the Rivermen and Grizzlies traded goals – six in the opening frame alone – like two teams feverishly looking to get the game won with high octane offensive firepower.
By the time the game was over, the Grizzlies had found the back of the net seven times to knock of the team that many believe is a favorite to go deep in the playoffs this season.
Equally impressive was the fact that the team had accomplished the feat with a patch work collection of affiliate players, newcomers and line combinations created to counter the team’s recent string of sick and injured players.
Marcus Vela and Mitch McLain started the Rivermen off on the right foot with single markers each, putting the home side up 2-0 after just three and a half minutes of play.
However, Myles Fitzgerald and newcomer Garrett Forster – acquired by the Grizzlies just last week – evened the score at 2-2 midway through the first.
Before the opening frame was done, Vela and Fitzgerald would each cash in again, leaving the period knotted at 3-3 and giving fans all they could ask for in the area of excitement.
Mark McLellan would put the Grizzlies up 4-3 early in the second, with Langley’s Nathan Craft evening the score for Langley at 4-4, before Jake Stirling would push the Grizz ahead 5-4 heading into the second intermission.
Cole Pickup and Garrett Forster – with his third in two games – would both tally for Victoria in the third to counter Langley’s Jakob Reichert’s lone Langley marker, leaving the score 7-5 Grizzlies.
Alec Dillon with the win, and Nic Renyard split goaltending duties for the Grizzlies and Chilliwack used both Steven Myland and Brock Crossthwaite in the losing cause.
OTHER GRIZZLIES NEWS
Despite playing most of November on the road, and with the recently depleted lineup situation, the Grizzlies have moved into the top three BCHL teams in winning percentage – with a .646 mark – trailing only the Powell River Kings and Penticton Vees in that area.
In other positive news, the team is currently sitting fourth in the eighteen team league in overall average attendance and lead the Island division in that category as well.
Next action for the Grizzlies will be Sunday afternoon as they take on the Coquitlam Express in Coquitlam at 2:00 PM.
