NANAIMO 7
VICTORIA 2
Minus several regulars due to injury or suspension, the Victoria Grizzlies took it on the chin for the second straight game on Sunday afternoon.
The Grizzlies allowed three power-play goals in consecutive outings, this time in a 7-2 shellacking by the Nanaimo Clippers at The Q Centre.
Brett Stirling (who was seen on crutches), Tyler Welsh and Mitchell Barker were all injured in Saturday night’s 6-3 loss to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Kevin Massy sat out the second of his two-game suspension. Drayson Pears did return after missing the Bulldogs’ game.
The Clippers pounced on the Grizzlies as Gavin Gould and Spencer Hewson made it 2-0 before fans could even settle into their seats, just 2:38 in.
Sheldon Rempal, with his league-leading 52nd goal, Charley Borek, Will Reilly and Matthew Hoover also tallied for Nanaimo, which spread the scoring around. Hoover had a three-point night, as did defenceman Yanni Kaldis, who collected three assists.
Jared Virtanen and Brayden Gelsinger replied for Victoria, which trailed 4-1 and 5-2 by periods.
“Our game plan [Sunday] was off,” said Grizzlies defenceman Cody Van Lierop. “We usually try and shut down Rempal, [Devin] Brosseau and Hoover. They changed up lines and it’s usually myself and Stirling who go up against them [on defence].
“We couldn’t match up because Stirls was out and we also lost Massy, too, so our defensive corps was a little in loose ends, but the guys we brought in played well.”
Digging the early hole was costly for the second straight time after the Grizzlies had won seven straight. On Saturday they were down 2-0 11 minutes in against Alberni Valley, which also won 7-3 over Coquitlam on Sunday to move within four points of Victoria.
“It’s been the last two games where they’ve jumped on us quick. We haven’t been ready to go, almost with a bit of a different atmosphere in the room before hand in these two than the seven wins before,” added Van Lierop.
Matthew Galajda made his second straight start in goal for the Grizzlies but only lasted 20 minutes, allowing four goals on 18 shots. Mitchel Benson mopped up, facing 26 shots, while Nanaimo netminder Evan Johnson made 28 saves.
The Clippers finished 3-for-8 on the power play, while Victoria was skunked on six tries.
The Grizzlies now face the B.C. Hockey League’s No. 1 team, the Penticton Vees, on Thursday at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre. The locals will don the old Victoria Salsa uniform for that game and every home outing in February.
IN THE DEN: Defenceman Mark Krabben may face suspension based on his instigator penalty on Sunday. Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon was ejected for a second straight night as he expressed his displeasure on some calls. He was tossed Saturday after captain P.J. Conlon lost pieces of a few teeth on a high stick that drew just a minor penalty. Didmon may also face a suspension. ... After out-scoring their opposition 38-12 on the seven-game win streak, Victoria was outgunned 13-5 in the last two.
