The B.C. Hockey League post-season is just around the corner. Someone might want to tell the Victoria Grizzlies that.
The Grizzlies are headed in the wrong direction, losing their fourth straight game Friday night in Port Alberni, this one by a 4-2 score. The loss leaves the Grizzlies just two points up on the Bulldogs in the race for the Island Division’s final playoff spot. Both teams have nine games remaining in the regular season.
At Weyerhaeuser Arena on Friday, the Bulldogs scored early in the first period, early in the second and early in the third to keep the Grizzlies at bay. The Bulldogs, who have now won three straight games, never trailed and outshot the Grizzlies 35-24.
Garrett Halls had the lone goal in the opening period and just two minutes into the second Ryan Finnegan beat Grizzlies goalie Mitchell Benson to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.
Alex Peck got the Grizzlies on the board midway through the middle frame, but Jordan Sandhu struck for the home team just 2:18 into the third period to give the Bulldogs command.
Brayden Gelsinger got one back for the Grizzlies on the only power play of the game at the 8:27 mark of the third period. But just two minutes later, Eric Margo iced it for Alberni, beating Benson for his 11th of the season.
Carson Schamerhorn got the win between the pipes for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs improve to 19-24-3-3, while the Grizzlies fall to 21-24-4-0. The Grizzlies get the weekend off and then head to Powell River on Monday for a 2 p.m. game against the Kings. The Bulldogs are back it today, hosting the league-leading Penticton Vees, who beat the Nanaimo Clippers 6-1 on Friday.
LOOSE PUCKS: Defenceman Brett Stirling and forwards Mitchell Barker and Tyler Welsh all missed the game with injuries. . . . After Monday’s visit to Powell River, the Grizzlies are home for back-to-back games next Saturday and Sunday against Merritt and Chilliwack.
