Mario Annicchiarico / Times Colonist
Photo Credit: Kyle Robinson Photography
DECEMBER 30, 2016 10:36 PM
The Victoria Grizzlies welcomed back a pair of key components to the lineup on Friday night, and both had a hand in their 3-1 road victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.
Tyler Welsh opened the scoring at 16:37 of the first period, recording the goal in his first game back after missing a handful of outings due to injury. Cole Pickup extended his point scoring streak to seven games with an assist on the play.
Goaltender Matthew Galajda also made his return after representing Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Alberta prior to the Christmas break.
Galajda made 32 saves on Friday, the first of five straight road games for the Grizzlies, who head to Nanaimo on Wednesday before a weekend excursion to Langley, Wenatchee and Surrey.
“He looks like he’s happy to be back. He’s got some good rest with a couple of more days than the other guys, so we’re going to expect him to carry the load again,” Grizzlies head coach and general manager Craig Didmon said of Galajda and the next stretch of games.
“It’s a big five games with these two Island games against Cowichan and Nanaimo, and then that road trip will be tough.”
Galajda entered the game with a 2.12 goals-against average and .927 save percentage with three shutouts. He was named the game’s first star while Welsh was the third star.
“It definitely helps having him back,” Grizzlies forward Jamie Rome said of Galajda. “He was out there with Canada West, but having him back is a big plus for our team.”
The Grizzlies recorded their 24th victory of the season, matching last year’s total — and it’s not 2017 yet.
Drayson Pears made it 2-0 for the Grizzlies 5:57 into the second period before Max Newton finally beat Galajda 4:34 into the third period. Cam Thompson added an empty-net goal for Victoria.
