Victoria Grizzlies start new year by conquering Kings

Grizzlies goaltender Cole Schwebius practises at The Q Centre in Colwood on Nov. 4, 2021. Schwebius stopped 31 of 32 shots on Saturday night.

Brian Drewry

VICTORIA 4 – POWELL RIVER 1

Cole Schwebius got some shiny new white goalie pads over the Christmas break, and he put them to good use Saturday night at The Q Centre.

The Victoria Grizzlies veteran netminder stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced to help his club start the new year with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Powell River Kings.

While Schwebius was standing tall in the crease, the Grizzlies top line supplied the offence needed to keep the Kings at bay.

Connor Eddy scored twice and captain Ellis Rickwood had a goal and three assists to help Victoria climb back to the .500 mark on the season at 14-14-0. The Kings fall to 9-15-2.

Eddy got things started with a power-play marker seven minutes into the first period and then defeceman Clark Hiebert added another power-play goal six minutes into the second to bring the 1,119 fans to their feet. Rickwood set up both goals as the Clarkson University NCAA commit is second on the team in scoring with 34 points, four back of linemate Matthew Wood who collected one assist Saturday.

Kings blue-liner Lucas Bourdon broke Schwebius’ shutout bid three minutes into the third.

The Grizzlies and Kings now get a few days off before meeting again Wednesday night at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River.

LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies were without injured players Isack Bandu and Kalen Szeto… . After Wednesday’s game in Powell River, the Grizzlies will head to the Mainland for weekend games against Coquitlam on Saturday and Langley on Sunday afternoon.

bdrewry@timescolonist.com