Penalty trouble and a handful of changes caught up to the visiting Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday night as they dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Powell River Kings at Hap Parker Arena.
A pair of power-play goals in the second period and J.P. Villeneuve’s overtime winner just 15 seconds into the extra session allowed the Kings to snap a six-game losing streak. Victoria picked up a point in their 12th straight game as the Grizz have not lost in regulation time since Dec. 29.
Myles Fitzgerald extended his point streak to 18 games with an assist on brother Leo Fitzgerald’s goal that tied it at 2-2 on a Victoria power play late in the third period.
The Grizzlies had five affiliated players in the lineup due to injuries or suspensions. The five included Chase Kaiser, Cole Pickup, Cole Golka, Josh Adkins and 15-year-old Haydn Hopkins, who made his first junior start.
The Grizzlies opened the scoring as Myles Powell tallied on a power play at 13:53 of the first period, but Matt Scarth and Teegan Waugh replied with their own man-advantage goals for the Kings.
Mike Stiliadis got the start in net for Victoria after Brady Rouleau earned the victory the night before in Powell River. It was the third straight meeting between the two teams who will also tango on Tuesday as the Kings return back to Victoria at 7:15 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena.
Kade Pilton returned to the Grizzlies’ lineup after sitting out six games due to a suspension and Turner Lawson is due back this week. Pilton’s attempted pass in overtime was gobbled up by Villeneuve, who then ended it.
“It’s been great to see the boys play well while I’ve been out of the lineup,” Pilton told Grizzlies play-by-play man Scott Didmon prior to the game. “They really dug deep with all the suspensions, it really shows the character of the team.”
They dug themselves holes with penalties, however, as the Kings were 2-for-8 on the power play.
Despite the loss, the Grizzlies remain in first place overall in the B.C. Hockey League, one point up on the Penticton Vees, who pounded Coquitlam 11-0 on Saturday.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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| SCORING SUMMARY |
| PERIOD 1 |
| Victoria Grizzlies at 13:53 (PP) – Myles Powell(unassisted) |
| PERIOD 2 |
| Powell River Kings at 2:04 (PP) – Matt Scarthfrom Brian Rideoutand Teagan Waugh |
| Powell River Kings at 7:03 (PP) – Teagan Waughfrom Matt Scarthand Evan Richardson |
| PERIOD 3 |
| Victoria Grizzlies at 17:05 (PP) – Leo Fitzgeraldfrom Myles Powelland Nolan DeJong |
| OVERTIME PERIOD 1 |
| Powell River Kings at 0:15 – J.P Villeneuve(unassisted) |
| PENINSULA CO-OP GAS STATION: 3 STARS OF THE GAME | ||
| 1st STAR | 2nd STAR | 3rd STAR |
| Powell River Kings J.P Villeneuve |
Powell River Kings Brian Rideout |
Victoria Grizzlies Cole Golka |
