The Victoria Grizzlies finally managed to take two points off the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday, defeating their Island Division rivals for the first time in four cracks this B.C. Hockey League season.
They would love to do the same with the visiting Nanaimo Clippers, tonight at 7 at The Q Centre.
In four confrontations this 2015-16 campaign, the Grizzlies are winless, having recorded 4-2, 5-4, 5-1 and 5-2 losses to the division-leading Clippers — the most recent just this past Friday as the visitors potted three third-period goals to skate off with the victory.
Victoria then heads to Powell River on Saturday and Sunday before capping off December with four of five at home.
“We had a tough schedule in November and late October where we had a couple of those road trips where we played six games in eight days,” Grizzlies’ captain P.J. Conlon said. “Things will get easier in terms of the schedule, but every team that comes into our building is looking to get a win, so we have to take care of things here.”
The Grizzlies are 8-5-0-2 at home and 11-16-0-3 overall.
“We’ve played well at home. We need to keep that same mentality, that survival mode when we’re in the game. If we let up, we end up on the wrong side of the coin. As long as we keep playing playoff hockey, we’ll be fine,” said general manager and head coach Craig Didmon.
Nanaimo is 6-6-0-1 on the road and 17-10-1-1 overall, two points up on second place Powell River and three ahead of Cowichan Valley. Victoria is seven back of the Capitals and three up on Alberni Valley. All four Island opponents do have games in hand on the Grizzlies — Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley with two each and Alberni Valley and Powell River with three each.
Brayden Gelsinger, Victoria’s leading point-getter with nine goals and 25 assists, has scored at least once in his last three games. He’s also had eight points in his last four outings. Eight of his nine goals and 21 of his total points have come in his last 15 appearances.
Gelsinger is tied for ninth overall in points in the BCHL.
Nanaimo features the No. 2 overall points leader in Sheldon Rempal (28 goals and 56 points). His line, which includes Devin Brosseau and Matthew Hoover, has totalled 129 points, four more than Victoria’s top six point-getters.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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