His eyes are on the main prize, that being a B.C. Hockey League championship, but there is a secondary award within the grasp of Myles Fitzgerald’s talented hands.
The Victoria Grizzlies slick forward is also battling for the point-scoring lead in search of the Brett Hull trophy, handed out annually to the player who finishes atop that statistical category in the Junior A league.
Fitzgerald collected an empty-net goal in Friday night’s 3-1 victory over the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday night at The Q Centre (formerly the Bear Mountain Arena). He has 27 goals and 50 assists for 77 points in 54 games this campaign.
The Grizzlies also received goals from Gerry Fitzgerald and Storm Wahlrab in the win.
Now riding a seven-game win streak and undefeated in the month of February, the Grizzlies have four games remaining in the regular season, which Myles Fitzgerald has been a big part of.
Not since 2007 have the Grizzlies had a player etch his name on the Brett Hull trophy. That was Tyler Bozak, currently with the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished with 128 points seven seasons ago.
That mark was the highest league total since Chilliwack’s Travis Banga’s 129 in 2000, which followed John McNabb’s 132 points the year previous with the South Surrey Eagles.
Kyle Greentree had 115 points in 2004 for the then Victoria Salsa.
“I try not to think about it, focusing more on just winning hockey games,” said Myles Fitzgerald who skates on a line with triplet brothers Gerry and Leo, the latter of which just recently returned from injury. “To see myself up there is a bonus, but it is nice to see.
“It would be nice to win the Brett Hull, but I’m more focused on playing my own game and just winning.”
Fitzgerald is two points behind Salmon Arm’s Landon Smith, who had a goal and an assist on Friday. Gerry Fitzgerald is fourth in league scoring with 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points (including his Friday goal). Leo now has four goals and seven helpers in 12 games in a frustrating season. He does have eight points in his last five outings.
“It took us a few games to get used to it all over again because he had been out so long with injury,” Myles said of Leo. “We’re just starting to click all over again and it’s good to see.”
But the ultimate goal is first place and a championship.
“Home ice would be a great accomplishment for us and to reward our fans with,” added Myles. “I’m happy with how the year has gone. The team is doing great, I’m putting up points so I can’t complain.”
The Grizzlies will venture back to Port Alberni tonight and then return home to face the Surrey Eagles on Sunday afternoon at 2 at The Q Centre. Victoria will end the 2013-14 season with a home and home series against Cowichan Valley next weekend.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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