Without their leading goal scorer and one of their top defencemen thanks to suspensions, the Victoria Grizzlies offence ground to a halt Saturday night against the Surrey Eagles.
The Eagles scored two third-period goals to beat the Grizzlies 2-1 in front of 1,235 disappointed fans at The Q Centre. The Grizzlies’ lack of discipline — Victoria is the most penalized team in the B.C. Hockey League — continued Saturday with the Eagles (5-6) getting seven power plays and scoring on one of them to drop the Grizzlies to 8-4 on the season. Victoria was 0-for-2 on the power play.
Still minus 16-year-old star winger Matthew Wood and 20-year-old defenceman Isaack Bandu to suspensions, the Grizzlies also had to play without injured blue-liner Declan Ride and that made for a long night for rookie goalie Kyle Kelsey. Kelsey faced 35 shots and saw his record fall to 4-2 on the season.
After a scoreless first period, the Grizzlies opened the scoring two minutes into the second frame when Luc Pelletier finished off a nice three-way passing play with linemates Justin Morehouse and Jack Gorton.
The Eagles began their comeback two minutes into the third period when Jacob Gonkowski beat Kelsey from a scramble in front. And then at 5:28 of the final frame, Jacob Slipec scored the winner on a power play.
Max Prazma made 32 saves to pick up the win.
The Grizzlies now hit the road for three games starting Friday night in Chilliwack against the Chiefs. Then it’s on to Penticton on Saturday to take on the Vees, before making their way to Trail for a Sunday afternoon game against the Smoke Eaters. Victoria’s next home game is Nov. 19 when the Powell River Kings make their first visit of the season to The Q Centre.
