The winless streak is over.

Not a moment too soon, either, for manager and coach Rob Doyle, who watched his 13 skaters pour their hearts out Friday night as the Victoria Grizzlies toppled the Coquitlam Express 6-5 at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.

Playing with nine forwards and just four defencemen, the Grizzlies managed to pick up their first B.C. Hockey League victory since a 4-3 decision in Vernon on Jan. 6.

“I’m still standing here looking at the score clock, but it’s true,” a relieved Doyle said over the phone shortly after the win. “It feels awesome and I’m so happy for the kids. They played to the end.”

Victoria used two-goal efforts from Alex Holland and newcomer Mitchell Smith, who joined the team on an emergency basis as bodies continue to fall to injury.

The visitors received an even bigger performance from goaltender Taylor Pears, who stood on his head for the second straight outing, stopping 58 Coquitlam shots. The 20-year-old was coming off a 52-save outing in a 2-1 loss to Powell River last Saturday.

“He was phenomenal,” said Doyle. “Even better than last week.”

Meanwhile, Victoria managed six goals on just 27 shots. Holland’s second, with 1:20 left, made it 6-4 and held up as the winner. Chase Kaiser and Cam Lawson also scored for Victoria, who fought through a pair of five-on-three disadvantages. At one point, three of the four defencemen were situated in the penalty box.

Nolan DeJong, the lone defenceman who wasn’t in the box, chipped in with three assists.

John Siemer, with a pair, Alex Patan, Mitch Nardi and Brady Shaw scored for Coquitlam.

Victoria ventures to Alberni Valley to face the Bulldogs tonight.

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