Above Photo: Kyle Kelsey in action (Photo: Kyle Robinson Photography)
Port Alberni, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies used a three points performance from Seamus Latta to defeat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 6-3 on Saturday night from the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Alberni Valley jumped ahead in the first ten minutes on a goal that hit the end wall glass and hit Grizzlies goaltender Kyle Kelsey in the back before going in. Seamus Latta would tie the game on the power play for the Grizzlies (6th) and newcomer Sam Ward nagged an assist. Alberni Valley would take the lead heading into the first intermission after a Grizzlies failed clearance.
In the second period, Stone Rolston tipped a Denny Monahan point shot home for his seventh to tie the game at two at 5:21. Brady McIsaac would convert on a penalty shot at 7:13 for the Bulldogs for their third lead however Seamus Latta’s second of the game and eighth of the season 33 seconds later put the game back to square one.
Chase Pirtle gave the Grizzlies their first lead at 15:24 of the second when he walked into the zone after a nifty neutral zone move and fired a shot top shelf for his 15th and the Grizzlies 4-3 score line heading to the third.
In the third period there was a scary moment when Victoria forward Alex Hebblethwaite was pushed into the end wall on a partial break and needed to be stretched off the ice after a long game delay. Alberni Valley’s Lenny Greenberg was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding on the play.
The Grizzlies were unable to convert on the man advantage, however scored twice in 23 seconds while the game was in four on four hockey at first 11:05 (Reegan Hiscock’s 13th) and than again at 11:28 (Landon Mackie’s 10th). Those two quick goals changed the whole vibe of the game and Victoria would need no more offense to hold onto a 6-3 win.
The game got a bit out of hand near the end with 16 misconducts being handed out for a multitude of on ice skirmishes.
Seamus Latta was named first star of the game with two goals and three points, newcomer Sam Ward registered three assists and was named second star while Reegan Hiscock took home third star of the game honours.
Kyle Kelsey was spectacular for the Grizzlies making 39 saves on 42 shots and improved his record to 5-2-1.
Victoria improves to 18-9-4 on the season and leap frogged the Bulldogs in the standings. Victoria now stands at third in the conference with 40 points. Cowichan Valley is in second with 41 and Chilliwack is in first with 45.
The Grizzlies are back in action next weekend on Friday night in Cowichan Valley for a battle for second and than back at home the following evening for a meeting with the Powell River Kings.
