WEST KELOWNA 5 VICTORIA 4
The Victoria Grizzlies' bus ride to Prince George became a little longer on Friday night after dropping a 5-4 decision to the West Kelowna Warriors.
Up 2-0 on the road late in the first period, the Grizzlies failed to hang on and slide to 12-7-0-1 on the season, having now lost two straight. The Warriors snapped a five-game losing streak to move to 9-5-0-5.
Brett McKinnon's second goal of the game, with just 53 seconds remaining, proved to be the winner. McKinnon and Brennan Clark had scored 24 seconds apart late in the second period for a 4-3 lead.
Mark McLellan tied it at 4-4 midway through the third for the Grizzlies, who received goals from Myles Fitzgerald and David Walchuk in the opening 17 minutes.
Shawn Hochhausen got one back with just 8.4 seconds left in the opening frame on a 5-on-3 power play for West Kelowna.
Jetlan Houcher also scored for the Warriors while Brett Hartskamp had the other Victoria goal.
IN THE DEN: Canada West, with Grizzlies defenceman Nolan DeJong in the lineup, defeated Canada East 1-0 in the semi-final of the World Junior A Challenge in Yarmouth, N.S., on Friday. Canada West advances to the final on Sunday against the U.S.
