Duncan, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies played villain on Friday night against the Cowichan Valley Capitals by defeating their cross-Malahat rivals 6-2 in front of a sold out crowd for “Terry Ryan Night”.
Victoria got themselves on the front foot early in the game thanks to a power play tally from Reegan Hiscock. His 14th of the season saw him park at the top of the crease to finish off a centering bid from Tom Molson. Victoria and Reegan would make it two on the night mid way through the frame after Molson sprung Hiscock on a break and his wrist shot nestled to the top left corner of the goal.
Cowichan pulled within one three minutes later when Luca Primerano beat a man to the puck at the top of the crease for his 12th and giving the crowd something to react to with the game being at 2-1 Victoria after 20 minutes of play.
Early in the second Seamus Latta would pounce on a rebound in the near circle to regain the Grizzlies two goal lead with his seventh of the season. Just past the 12 minute mark Chase Pirtle also found a rebound for his 16th of the season with Tom Molson getting assists on both of those tallies.
With seven seconds remaining in the second, the Grizzlies moved in three on two through center ice. Malcolm Green threw it from left win to right and Denny Monahan let go with a one timer which was kicked away by Cowichan netminder Liam Sztuska. Unfortunately for him he kicked it right onto the stick of the net driving Finn Kallay who had a wide open goal to finish his fourth goal of the year and a 5-1 Victoria lead after 40.
Mid way through the third, number six came along and it was by way of a four on three powerplay goal for the Grizzlies. Reegan Hiscock was denied his hat trick goal before Tom Molson dropped it for Chase Pirtle who then found Tobias Pitka at the side of the net all alone. The big Slovakian was not to be denied from in close and his eighth put the Grizzlies up by five before a late Cowichan consolation goal would make it a 6-2 final.
Victoria outshot Cowichan 40-35 on the evening and Oliver Auyeung-Ashton was forced to make several spectacular saves in the Grizzly goal. He was awarded second star of the game with his ninth win of the year improving to 9-2-1. Reegan Hiscock took home first star while Oscar Pantzare was awarded third star with two assists.
Victoria is back in action tomorrow night from the Q Centre at 6:00 PM for a “Salsa Saturday” against the Powell River Kings where Victoria wears their 30th anniversary throwback red Salsa jerseys. Tickets are available here for Victoria to try and make it five wins in a row.
