VICTORIA 3 NANAIMO 2
One of the hottest teams in the B.C. Hockey League continues on its torrid pace as the Victoria Grizzlies won for their fourth straight time Saturday night, defeating the Nanaimo Clippers 3-2.
Turner Lawson's goal at 12: 38 of the third period held up as the game-winner, the Grizzlies' eighth victory in 11 one-goal outcomes as Victoria improves to an impressive 10-4-0-1. The team has now reached the quarter-pole on the 60-game season.
Victoria, Prince George, Chilliwack and West Kelowna have all won four straight.
The Grizzlies bounced back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo.
"I don't think this team has much quit in it," said Bill Bestwick, the Grizzlies' general manager and head coach.
"I don't think this is a team that isn't willing to respond to adversity or a deficit.
"It's junior hockey and you see how much lift a single goal or a penalty kill makes and we have so much trust in our goaltending, they both can keep us in games."
Brady Rouleau made the start in net for Victoria and improved to 5-1 on the campaign, making 35 saves. Nanaimo went with Jayson Argue in goal.
Kyle Kramer opened the scoring for the Clippers early in the first period before Leo Fitzgerald tied it up with a power-play effort just 33 seconds into the second as Victoria's special teams have come to life the last two outings.
Nanaimo regained the lead on Trevor Fitzgerald's goal at 7: 53 of the middle frame before Myles Powell tied it up for a second time for the visiting Grizzlies just 2: 18 later.
Bestwick was looking for a complete, 60-minute effort from his team, which he admitted suffered from some nervous tension the first time the Grizzlies were in Nanaimo, where he previously coached.
Victoria had five players in the lineup on Saturday who were not on the roster in that first meeting, a 4-2 loss.
It was another gritty effort for the Grizzlies who get back to action next weekend with three games in three days with stops in Trail, Merritt and Penticton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.
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