MARIO ANNICCHIARICO / TIMES COLONIST
Photo Credit: Garrett James
JANUARY 15, 2016 10:12 PM
Tyler Welsh and Cole Pickup continue to carry hot hands for the Victoria Grizzlies, who remain undefeated in 2016 after a 4-2 win in Prince George on Friday over the Spruce Kings.
Welsh had a goal and two assists and now has nine points in his last four games, while Pickup added a pair of helpers and also has nine points over that stretch for the Grizzlies, who improve to 18-20-4-0 and head to Chilliwack today on a four-game win streak.
That leaves Victoria one win shy of its season-best five consecutive victories established Oct. 29-Nov. 10. The Grizzlies will then carry on to Surrey on Sunday afternoon.
“This weekend is going to be a tough test,” Grizzlies captain P.J. Conlon said prior to the trip. “It’s a huge six points this weekend, so we’re going to be ready to play hard all three days.”
Victoria was without head coach and general manager Craig Didmon, who will join the team today.
Welsh opened the scoring on a wraparound at 4:50 of the first period with Pickup earning the only assist. Pickup had recorded a goal and three assists in Victoria’s 7-1 win over Cowichan Valley on Tuesday.
Victoria native Connor Logan and Chong Lee (on a power play) tallied 2:26 apart early in the second period for the Spruce Kings, before defencemen Brett Stirling and Cody Van Lierop restored the Grizzlies’ lead later in the frame. Mitchell Barker added an empty-net goal with 10 seconds remaining.
Mitchel Benson made his first start in goal for Victoria in just over a month and made 27 saves for the win, his third of the season, all against Prince George. Liam McCloskey suffered the loss in goal for the Spruce Kings who fall to 11-30-2-1 after blanking the Trail Smoke Eaters 2-0 on Thursday night.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
