VICTORIA 5
POWELL RIVER 3
Marty Westhaver’s goal late in the second period held up as the game-winner and he added an insurance goal as the Victoria Grizzlies managed a split in their series with the host Powell River Kings on Saturday night at Hap Parker Arena.
Westhaver’s first goal came at 17:54 of the second frame, 5:15 after Alex Newhook broke a 2-2 tie with a power-play goal for the visiting Grizzlies, who improve to 13-9-3-0 with the 6-3 victory. Victoria also cuts into the Kings’ Island Division lead, one point back of 13-6-2-2 Powell River.
Justin Michaelian got the Grizzlies started early, scoring just 44 seconds in, but Kyle Kawamura knotted it at 1-1 six minutes later. Shawn O’Malley then gave Victoria a 2-1 lead when he scored on a breakaway at 14:39 of the first.
Ethan Kimball’s power-play goal at 8:40 of the second knotted it at 2-2 before Newhook and Westhaver came through. Hunter Findlater cut it to 4-3 in the third period before Westhaver struck in the final two minutes. Jamie Rome added an empty-net goal.
Goaltender Zack Rose made 27 saves for the win for Victoria, while Mitch Adamyk faced 32 shots in the Powell River net.
Victoria played without Cole Noble, who suffered a broken nose and a concussion when he was hit into the glass by Kings defenceman Carmine Buono the night previous. Buono was suspended for four games for the hit.
The Grizzlies now return home for three straight games, starting with the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday. — Times Colonist
