VICTORIA 4
POWELL RIVER 1
Fittingly, the Victoria Grizzlies players presented their mothers with flowers prior to Friday night’s game at The Q Centre.
Because after a 4-1 victory over the rival Powell River Kings, everything is coming up roses for the Grizzlies.
Backed by another strong performance by netminder Matthew Galajda and a key goal from veteran Tyler Welsh, the Grizzlies (16-4-2-3) beat the Kings (17-9-1-0) for the second time in eight days and moved two points up on Powell River in the race for the B.C. Hockey League’s Island Division title. Victoria also has two games in hand.
Much to the delight of the 973 fans at The Q Centre, the Grizzlies jumped out to a 2-0 lead courtesy goals from T.J. Friedmann in the first period and Welsh in the second. The Kings kept coming in the third and got to within one thanks to a power-play goal from Ben Berard midway through the period, but Nathan Looysen and Cam Thompson iced the victory with empty-net goals.
“We did a good job of sticking with the plan and pressuring their d-men and we were pretty stingy the entire game,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon, whose club is 8-2 in its last 10 games.
Galajda was staring across at three Kings who will be his teammates next season. Forwards Tristan Mullin, Cam Donaldson and Kyle Betts have all committed to the Cornell Big Red of the NCAA, and that’s where Galajda will also be headed after accepting a scholarship in September.
Friday it was Galajda besting the Kings’ Big 3, making 28 saves to improve his record to 12-5 and lower his goals-against average, which was second best in the league coming into Saturday at 2.33.
“Its a lot of fun playing those guys,” Galajda said. “I don’t know them too much but to beat them a few times this year, I might be able to use that against them next year.”
Galajda was facing the Kings for the third consecutive game, but the 19-year-old didn’t mind one bit.
“We did a good job of not letting shots through tonight and that was a problem last game in Powell River so it was good to see us correct that,” he added.
“I enjoy playing good teams. It’s a great challenge and brings the best out of me.”
Brian Wilson made 24 saves in the Powell River net.
The Grizzlies went 2-for-5 on the power play but they were again without leading point-getter Cole Pickup as he sat out the last of a four-game suspension.
“We’ve played well without Cole, and Mokhtari did a great job filling in on our top line so that was good to see,” Didmon said.
“But we’re looking forward to having Cole back [today] and he’ll be fresh so that’s good because we’re two-thirds through this tough weekend and we need to finish strong [today].
The Grizzlies are back at it today at The Q Centre as the Trail Smoke Eaters come to town for a 2 p.m. game. The Smoke Eaters lost 4-1 in Alberni Valley on Saturday.
