Even the supposedly more friendly confines of Bear Mountain Arena can’t quite help the Victoria Grizzlies.

In fact, home ice advantage has become somewhat of a misnomer as the B.C. Hockey League club is still looking for its first victory in Victoria since beating the Salmon Arm Silverbacks way back on — wait for it — Dec. 2.

The Coquitlam Express are the latest opponent to skate off with two points in a thrilling, wide-open 8-5 victory on Friday night in front of a sparse but loud crowd. It was the 10th straight defeat at home and the Grizzlies are now winless in 11 consecutive outings overall, coming off a 4-4 tie in Surrey last Sunday.

It wasn’t for a lack of effort, however, especially from the 3C (or Ch-Ch-Ching) line consisting of Cam Lawson, Coltyn Hansen and Chase Kaiser, who totalled 14 points. But inexperience, leaky defence and shaky goaltending continue to haunt the Grizzlies, who at least had 17 skaters this time around. They’ve often gone with as few as 13.

“It was close. We gave them a couple of goals that shouldn’t have happened,” said Kaiser, who had a goal and four assists. “It was very disappointing not to get the win. We’ve lost quite a few in a row, but hopefully that first one comes soon. We’re working at it.”

You certainly can’t knock the line, who once again displayed fabulous skating abilities and some hands, as they provided every point except an assist by Braxton Bilous.

“It was a good game for our line. Things were going our way. There’s tons of speed there and that’s what we rely on,” added Kaiser.

Lawson had three goals and an assist and Hansen added a goal and four helpers in the losing cause.

It was shades of the 3M line the Grizzlies featured earlier this season with Wesley Myron, Wade Murphy and Mike Moran, who lit it up when they were together.

Myron had his shoulder surgically repaired a week ago, while Murphy and Moran were both traded at the Jan. 10 deadline.

The 3C trio scored three goals in 3:07 late in the second to tie it 5-5, but the Express pumped in three quickies in a 4:01 span early in the third to pull away on a weird night filled with strange bounces and game misconducts to Lawson and Grizzlies coach Rob Doyle early in the third.

Malcolm McKinney and John Siemer had two goals apiece for the Express, while Justin Georgeson, Joona Kunas, Zach Hodder and Cody Michelle added one each for Coquitlam. Kahleed Devji started in net for the Express but was pulled in favour of Cole Huggins after 40 minutes.

Nicholas Taylor started for Victoria and allowed all eight goals before Taylor Pears came in at 7:24 of the final frame. Strangely enough, neither backup allowed a goal.

While the Grizzlies struggle to find a way to win, the Penticton Vees can’t lose. They tied a league record that dates back to the 1988-89 New Westminster Royals with Friday night’s 5-1 victory over Chilliwack. That’s now 29 straight wins for the high-flying Vees, who can establish the new mark Tuesday in Chilliwack.

IN THE DEN: Victoria received special permission to dress defenceman Cole Gelley, a former BCHLer who has not played all season, for Friday’s game. ... Fellow D-man Jaden Schmeisser left the ice late in first period with an apparent jaw injury.