Above Photo: Sophie’s Photographys
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies got a 54 save shutout from Oliver Auyeung-Ashton which not only gave the Grizzlies a pivotal 5-0 victory, but wrote the third year netminder into the Grizzlies record books as their all time leading goaltender in wins and shutouts.
Victoria began the game on the front foot when Seamus Latta put them ahead before the three minute mark, wristing a puck home for his 10th of the year on a two on one. Tom Molson followed that up at the 13:37 mark with a highlight reel goal. His 13th of the season saw him cut through the Cowichan zone for a partial break, before going between the legs to the top left corner for a mind boggling tally.
He added insult to injury for the Caps three minutes later with his 14th of the season after a Denny Monahan point shot was tipped off the cross bar by Tobias Pitka before falling at the side of the net for Molson. He made no mistake burying that chance and Victoria was well ahead heading to the first intermission.
There was no scoring in the second frame, however the Grizzlies started the third much like they started the first. This time it was Chase Pirtle netting his 22nd of the year off a three on two feed from Reegan Hiscock at 1:13. Stone Rolston sealed the deal for the Grizzlies at 12:13 by taking the puck the length of the ice and firing it short side for his 10th of the season and a fifth on the night for the Grizzlies.
Oliver Aueyueng-Ashton had a spectacular performance between the pipes making 54 saves on 54 shots for his second shutout of the season and eighth of his career. That made him the Grizzlies/Salsa franchise all time leader as well as the leader in all time wins for a goaltender with 49. The 19 year old has set several bars that will be hard to beat for years too come.
Chase Pirtle took home third star of the game while Tom Molson was second star. Oliver Auyeung-Ashton was a very deserving first star of the game.
A win for Victoria and a Surrey loss in regulation on Friday night meant that Victoria took sole possession of second place by one point while holding a game in hand on both Surrey and Cowichan who is now four points behind the Grizzlies.
Victoria is back in action tomorrow night from the Q Centre when the Nanaimo Clippers are back in town for the final time. Tickets are available by CLICKING HERE.
