Above Photo: Chase Pirtle leads the celebration line after his first period powerplay goal (Photo: Kyle Robinson Photography)
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies sunk the Clippers 5-2 on Saturday night from the Q Centre for their 10th win of the season.
The Grizzlies picked up their second win in a row to make it a perfect 2-0 weekend against to Island Rivals after having shutout the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3-0 on Friday night.
The Clippers jumped ahead early after a point shot was tipped home by Clippers captain Connor DeTurris making one nothing in the first four minutes.
Jimmy Lyver was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for a Blow to the Head after cross checking Tobias Pitka in the face off a faceoff in the Grizzlies zone at the 11:49 mark of the first and the Grizzlies struck. First it was Chase Pirtle finishing off a cross crease pass from Tom Molson for his ninth of the year, before Ryan Watt beat Nanaimo goaltender Otto Nuto glove side on a rush up the left wing making 2-1 after 20.
Victoria was busy on the penalty kill in the second killing three Clipper powerplays in a row before Ryan Watt’s second of the game and sixth of the season made it a two goal Victoria lead. That game after a perfectly executed three on two through center. Nate Taylor carried in on the right wing, sent it cross ice for Finn Kallay who then put it on a silver platter for Watt back door for a tap in.
In the third period, both teams exchanged markers in the first 10 minutes. First it was Tobias Pitka for the Grizzlies finishing off a two on one opportunity with Tom Molson and than Dylan Kinch had a nice finish in tight for the Clippers to pull back within two.
That was as close it they would come however as Chase Pirtle got past a defenseman for a partial two on one at 15:44 and sent it off a defenseman in through the legs of Nuto for his second of the year and a 5-2 Grizzlies lead and final.
Tyler Hodges was great for the Grizzlies, making 36 saves on 38 shots, while Nuto was peppered for the Clippers making 41 saves on 46 shots. Tom Molson finished the evening with three assists while Chase Pirtle added a three point evening of his own with two goals and an assist.
The Grizzlies improve to 10-5-2 on the year and sit in 4th in the Coastal Conference. They will head to the mainland next weekend for visits to both Surrey and Coquitlam.
