Even an offence as loaded as that of the Victoria Grizzlies can only overcome so much.
The Grizzlies’ crease issues continued in a 6-5 shootout loss to the lowly Surrey Eagles on Sunday at The Q Centre.
With Kurtis Chapman injured in practice last week, and Zack Rose not due back until early December after off-season shoulder surgery, the Grizzlies went with backup Keenan Rancier, who made just his third and fourth B.C. Hockey League starts in the game against Surrey and 12-5 loss the night before against the Powell River Kings at The Q Centre.
“It’s one of those things and you move forward,” said Grizzlies head coach and GM Craig Didmon.
“Saturday was a bit of an anomaly. We obviously missed Kurtis Chapman’s experience and confidence. But he is expected back this coming weekend. It [injury] wasn’t that serious, but we we felt it was better to rest it and give him a break.”
Rancier was pulled after allowing six goals in the first period Saturday, in favour of emergency call-up Charles LePage of the Kerry Park Islanders of the Vancouver Island Junior League. Rancier returned to the Victoria crease with a 23-save performance Sunday as the Grizzlies (10-6-1) salvaged a point against the league last-place Eagles (5-13). The Grizzlies unloaded 47 shots on 20-year-old Eagles goaltender Kyle Dumba, who has WHL experience with the Calgary Hitmen, and is the brother of NHL defenceman Matt Dumba.
“I’m not upset by our play over the weekend. The guys were going hard all the time. Our offence produced 10 goals in two games,” said Didmon.
“Like I said, it was just one of those things that happen.”
Alex Newhook and Alex Campbell, both cited by Central Scouting for the 2019 NHL draft, scored for Victoria on Sunday. Newhook is projected for the first round while Campbell has risen rapidly and some prognosticators have him as high as the late second or early third round. Several scouts were at The Q Centre over the weekend watching the dynamic Grizzlies forwards.
Lach Hadley, Henri Schreifels and Ryan Nolan scored the other goals for the hosts, while Chase Stevenson had two goals and two assists for Surrey and former Victoria Royals forward Ty Westgard three assists.
Westard moved into a second-place tie in BCHL scoring with Newhook and Kevin Wall of the Chilliwack Chiefs on 24 points, one point behind leader Bradley Cocca of the Merritt Centennials. Campbell is tied for sixth with 22 points.
The Grizzlies open a three-game road swing Friday in Chilliwack against the Chiefs, continuing Saturday in Merritt against the Centennials and concluding Sunday in Surrey against the Eagles.
The Grizzlies’ next home game is Nov. 2 when the Trail Smoke Eaters pay a visit to The Q Centre.
