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Streaking Victoria Grizzlies overpower Clippers

One streak continued and one came to an end, but both were to the positive for the high-flying Victoria Grizzlies. The B.C.

One streak continued and one came to an end, but both were to the positive for the high-flying Victoria Grizzlies.

The B.C. Hockey League club extended its win streak to seven games and finally defeated the Nanaimo Clippers for the first time in six tries this season, beating the Island Division leaders 6-3 at Frank Crane Arena on Friday.

Kevin Massy had a pair of goals for the Grizzlies, who bounced back from 2-1 and 4-3 deficits. Dante Hahn, Tyler Welsh, Alex Peck and P.J. Conlon (into an empty-net) also scored for the victors.

Nolan Aibel, Devin Brosseau and Troy MacTavish replied for the Clippers and Sheldon Rempal collected his 100th point of the season on an assist on Aibel’s goal just 5:22 in.

Peck’s goal was a critical one for Victoria with just two seconds remaining in the second for a 5-3 lead.

In what was a playoff-like game, the teams traded leads throughout the first two periods of a physical game in a lively building.

Mitchel Benson made his third-straight regular-season start in goal for the Grizzlies and collected his third consecutive victory, making 44 saves. Clippers netminder Evan Johnson suffered his first loss in six tries against Victoria, facing 37 shots.

With the win, the Grizzlies remain undefeated in 2016 and move above the .500 mark for the first time this season at 21-20-4-0, while the Clippers slip to 32-16-1-1, having played five more games.

Victoria is back home tonight to face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre, and then play host to the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.

mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com

Twitter.com/tc_vicsports