The Victoria Grizzlies need to get their offence going, and they’re hoping some familiar faces in the stands will give them a much-needed boost as they get set to play three games in three days for the first time this B.C. Hockey League season.
It’s the annual Family Weekend for the Grizzlies, which means the players’ families will be in town from all over North America to watch their sons, brothers and grandsons play live instead of on a computer screen from afar. And it all starts Friday night in Duncan as the Grizzlies visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals with the Cowichan Community Centre expected to be jam-packed with visiting Grizzlies relatives. Then it’s back to The Q Centre for matchups with the Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday night and the Trail Smoke Eaters on Sunday afternoon.
Veteran defenceman Justin Gibson was lucky enough to have his family visit from Pittsburgh twice last season, and they were set to arrive Friday in time to make the trek to Duncan. At least most of his family. His older brother happens to be a little busy with work. Goaltender John Gibson was across the water at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thursday night trying to get his Anaheim Ducks on track against the also-struggling Canucks.
“Yeah, he’s a little busy,” laughed the 19-year-old Gibson. “But it’s great to have my mom and dad come out. They were last here at the end of the season last year and had a great time so they’re pretty excited to be coming out. All the guys are excited to have family here this weekend.”
The Grizzlies (5-5-1-2) are coming off a loss to the 10-2 Surrey Eagles and Victoria is tied with Cowichan and Vernon for the fewest goals-for, sitting at 30 in 13 games. With Coastal Conference-leading Nanaimo (11-2) up next after last-place Cowichan (4-8), goals are going to be needed this busy weekend.
Jack Gorton is second to Olivier Picard in team scoring with eight points and the big winger knows the Grizzlies are going to have to be a lot tougher around the opposition’s net.
“We just need to get to the net a lot more and capitalize on our chances,” said Gorton, who is NCAA committed to Boston University.
“We talk about it every day, but at the end of the day it comes down to us in the room and how willing we are to do the small and simple things in the O-zone.”
Gorton hails from Granite Springs, New York, just outside Manhattan, and he’ll have a large contingent of family in town this weekend, including his dad, Jeff, who has taken time away from running the hockey operations department of the Montreal Canadiens to come west for a quick visit.
“Yeah, mom, dad, brother and grandparents on my mom’s side are all coming out. And it means a lot to play in front of family because I don’t get to see them being out here and for them to come all this way to see me play is pretty special.
“I know all the guys are excited to have family here and are ready to put on a show for them so I think it’s going to be a great weekend.”
After this weekend, the Grizzlies get a few days off before starting a stretch of five straight road games beginning Nov. 11 at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee against the Wild.
bdrewry@timescolonist.com
