VICTORIA 5 NANAIMO 4
The Victoria Grizzlies went deep into enemy territory Saturday night, and came away unscathed.
The Grizzlies held on to first place in the B.C.
Hockey League's Island Division thanks to a 5-4 win over the second-place Nanaimo Clippers at Frank Crane Arena.
Two goals by Gerry Fitzgerald led the way for the Grizzlies, who improved to 15-7-0-1 on the season and now have a three-point lead over the second-place Clippers.
The Clippers (13-8-0-2), spurred on by a boisterous crowd of 850, jumped out to a 2-0 lead - including a goal by Brendan Forbes just 17 second into the game - but then the Grizzlies' power play went to work. Leo Fitzgerald and D.J. Jones scored goals on five-on-three power plays, and just 1: 30 later, call-up Brody Coulter scored his first BCHL after being called up from the VIJHL's Victoria's Cougars.
Nanaimo's Kyle Kramer cut the lead to one midway through the third period, but Grizzlies netminder Michael Stiliadis shut the door from there. Stiliadis made 27 saves for the win.
The Grizzlies finished 2-for-8 on the power play. The Clippers were 1-for-6.
Next up for the Grizzlies is a trip to Port Alberni on Saturday to face the Bulldogs. The next home game for Victoria is Nov. 30 against the Clippers.
LOOSE PUCKS: Grizzlies captain Zach Urban returned to the lineup Saturday after missing Friday's game due to a suspension.
