Mario Annicchiarico / Times Colonist
PHOTO CREDIT: Kyle Robinson Photography
NOVEMBER 3, 2016 10:31 PM
One third of the way through the 2016-17 B.C. Hockey League season, the Victoria Grizzlies are occupying prime realty.
With just three regulation losses in 19 outings, the Grizzlies have proven to be a tough out. They boast the second-lowest number of defeats so far over 60 minutes of play.
Tied for third overall in the 17-team league, the 11-3-2-3 Grizzlies also have the third-highest winning percentage in the league at .711, behind Wenatchee’s .844 and Penticton’s .833.
But the Grizzlies still need to be careful when the Alberni Valley Bulldogs visit tonight at 7 at The Q Centre.
The Bulldogs sit at the opposite end of the spectrum, second-last in the league with a 4-11-3-0 record. But the Grizzlies know full well that the ’Dawgs can pack a mean bite.
“We have to make sure we don’t get complacent and realize that every game in this league is a tough one, no matter who you’re playing,” captain Cody Van Lierop said.
“We’ve definitely had a better start than last season. We’re getting better every game and every practice. We just have to keep improving every game.”
One of those three regulation-time losses came Sunday in a 4-3 setback in Trail that concluded a three-games-in-three-days scenario.
After a scoreless first period, the Grizzlies fell behind 3-0 in the opening 7:45 of the second before clawing back to trail 4-3 after 40 minutes. They outshot the Smoke Eaters 11-6 in the final frame and 36-27 overall, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
“It’s a nice feeling looking at our record — with just three losses — and to know we’ve battled in every game,” Van Lierop said. “It shows that we’re willing to battle, no matter what the score and that showed in our last game.”
The current record is not lost on general manager and head coach Craig Didmon, who likes to break down the year into five-game segments.
“We’re happy with our first third. One of the things we talked about through the first quarter, or even fifth of the season, was to try to get better every sequence of five games — and we’ve been doing that,” he said.
“The guys are continuing to get better, and with the addition of T.J. Friedmann last week, we think we have four strong lines we can throw out every night.”
“It was a good road trip. In Trail, we had a good chance to win,” Didmon said. “It’s hard to come down on the guys when you know you had the opportunities. We outshot them in the third period. After three games in three days and tough travel, we showed a lot of integrity as a group. I was certainly happy with the effort.”
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