ALBERNI VALLEY 3 VICTORIA 1
The Victoria Grizzlies are staring straight at elimination after Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to the host Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Weyerhaeuser Arena.
The defeat leaves the Grizzlies down 3-1 in the best-of-seven Island Division semifinal series of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs. They could be eliminated in Monday’s Game 5 at 7:15 p.m. back at home at the Q Centre.
Hard to believe after Victoria rattled off 16 more wins than the Bulldogs during the regular season and collected a six wins, one loss and one tie head-to-head record against the opponent.
“Sometimes you have to do it the hard way, and it looks like we’re doing it the hard way,” said Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon.
“I liked our effort tonight and I thought we were the better team in three of those four games.
“We had a dominating performance tonight [out-shooting the hosts 48-37]; unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong end. We’re not out yet; we’re coming home.”
But Victoria has now lost three straight and five of its last seven as the Grizzlies continue to make defensive mistakes and were shut out by Alberni netminder Connor LaCouvee for 132 minutes and 33 seconds until Jaden Schmeisser, who returned to the lineup after missing two games, scored at 4:31 of the third period.
That made it 2-1 Alberni, but the Bulldogs replied just 29 seconds later on a goal from Harlan Orr.
Zach Funk had opened the scoring for the Bulldogs off a steal at 15:53 of the opening period as he beat Victoria goaltender Alec Dillon on the short side.
Craig Martin made it 2-0 at 15:01 of the second on yet another odd-man rush, which Victoria has been guilty of throughout the series.
Then there’s LaCouvee — who made 47 saves — and his defence, which is blocking a load of other shots.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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