It was definitely not the start the Victoria Grizzlies were hoping for.
The Powell River Kings opened up a 6-0 lead and wrapped up a lop-sided 8-2 victory over the visiting Grizzlies on opening night in the B.C. Hockey League on Friday at Hap Parker Arena. The two teams will do it again today at 5 p.m.
Victoria will attempt to plug the defensive leak as they allowed veterans Jonny Evans to collect a goal and three assists and Carter Turnbull a goal and two helpers. Kyle Kawamura and Callum Volpe had a goal and an assist each and Jack Long, Hunter Findlater, Nathan Kelly and Kevin Obssuth also scored for the Kings, who led 2-0 and 7-1 by periods.
T.J. Friedmann finally got the Grizzlies on the scoreboard 14:09 into the second period and Ethan Nother added the second Victoria goal midway through the third.
Zack Rose started in goal for the Grizzlies and allowed four goals on 14 shots before giving way to Shawn Parkinson, who made 25 saves and also surrendered four goals. Mitch Adamyk faced 30 shots in net for Powell River.
“It was a tough start, for sure. I don’t know if they were nervous or over-confident,” Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon said of his troops. “Everything worked for them early. When you spot them six [goals] that’s what you get.
“We came out flat in the second period. I don’t think Rose saw the puck well early, but we weren’t sharp, turning over pucks and cheating the system and that’s what you get when that happens.”
The Grizzlies were minus veterans Lucas Clark, the captain, and assistant Dayne Finnson. Clark (sinuses) could be back today while Finnson (ankle) remains out.
Meanwhile, the Nanaimo Clippers bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to down the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-3 at Frank Crane Arena. The Clippers will venture to Duncan tonight to face the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
