Above Photo: Grizzlies forward Malcolm Green in action against the Capitals on Saturday night (Photo Credit: Kyle Robinson Photography)
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies rode a 32 save shutout performance from Tyler Hodges against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday from the Q Centre in Colwood to improve to 4-0 on the young season.
Entering the game, Tyler Hodges had never recorded a shutout in his BCHL career, however his team helped end that streak but putting on a clinic in front of him, beating down on the Capitals 4-0.
Victoria opened the scoring 6:44 into the game thanks to a Ryan Watt goal that saw Oscar Pantzare jump up in the rush and feed one across for Watt to tap home for his 2nd of the season. Julian Cull got the secondary assist and that apple from Pantzare was his first BCHL point. Victoria outshot Cowichan 19-9 in the first.
The Grizzlies again carried the play in the second frame and it was Stone Rolston tipping a Dan D’Alessandro point shot home for his second of the year, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead at the 8:58 mark. Grizzlies captain; Jacksenn Hungle, went to the front of the goal hard at the 19:50 mark of the second and put a rebound in after Easton Kovac’s shot slipped its way through Alexei Noskov. Noskov, the ‘Caps goaltender, was splendid making 38 saves. Reegan Hiscock got the secondary assist on Hungle’s second of the year.
Stone Rolston scored the lone tally of the third and final frame after an outlet alley-oop pass from Tyson Moss sprung Rolston on a breakaway. Rolston went backhand forehand and ripped a wrist shot the the top right corner of the net to secure his second of the game and third of the year. That was all Victoria would need.
As previously mentioned Tyler Hodges got his first BCHL shutout and was named third star of the game for his efforts. Dan D’Alessandro was given second star with two assists on the evening, while Stone Rolston was the clear cut first star with two goals.
Victoria will hit the road next weekend with first a stop in Nanaimo at the Frank Crane Arena to take on the Nanaimo Clippers before heading up to Port Alberni to face off with the Bulldogs who are looking for revenge after Victoria’s 9-3 thrashing of them on Friday night. Nanaimo is 1-1-1 after a 7-3 victory over the Powell River Kings tonight. Alberni Valley is 2-1 while heading into overtime with the Chilliwack Chiefs at the time of this article.
