Above Photo: Grizzlies players: Tyson Moss (left) Alex Hebblethwaite (middle) and Tom Molson (right) in action on Saturday evening. (Photo: Kyle Robinson)
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies lay the law down on the Coquitlam Express 5-1 on Saturday night from the Q Centre in front of 1,335 fans on the Grizzlies Canadian Armed Forces appreciation night.
Coquitlam jumped in front in the first ten minutes of the game as Sam Frandina’s point shot on the powerplay through traffic nestled itself into the top left corner of the goal with no chance for Kyle Kelsey.
The Grizzlies would tie the game later on in the first as Alex Hebblethwaite made an outside to inside stick handle in the neutral zone and pulled away from a defender before beating Coquitlam goaltender Eric Young five hole for his 10th of the year.
The Grizzlies added to that lead early in the second period with Tom Molson banging home a rebound after a far pad low shot for a rebound from Seamus Latta. That play worked to perfection and was Latta’s second assist of the evening. It was then 3-1 with under six minutes to play in the second when Jacksenn Hungle scored on the powerplay. Rolston entered the puck into the offensive end and wrapped it around for Alex Hebblethwaite on the left wing side. He would go cross ice to Hungle at the side of the net far side to one time home that feed.
Heading into the third period with a two goal lead, the Grizzlies wouldn’t take their foot off the pedal. Tom Molson had his second of the game on the powerplay at 9:54 after Chase Pirtle’s one timer was turned aside before Molson put home the rebound for his 5th of the season.
Easton Kovacs added a cherry on the sundae with a empty netter from 200 feet for his second of the 2024-25 campaign.
Victoria improves to 13-5-3 on the season and currently hold sole possession of third spot in the Coastal Conference. They will be back in action on Friday night from the Q Centre when the conference leading Chilliwack Chiefs are in town for the Grizzlies alumni night, celebrating 30 years of the franchise by wearing “Victoria Salsa” jerseys.
