The Victoria Grizzlies defeated the visiting Langley Rivermen 4-1 in a B.C. Hockey League game Sunday afternoon at The Q Centre.
Victoria swept the game awards with Jack Gorton named third star with a goal, Andrew Amousse second star with two assists and Grizzlies captain Ellis Rickwood first star with a goal and assist to move his BCHL second-leading points total to 78 in 47 games played. Rookie star forward Matthew Wood also had a goal and assist to push his BCHL-leading goals total to 45 and points total to 84 in 42 games played. Jackson Morehouse scored the other Victoria goal while Tyler Schleppe replied for Langley.
Kyle Kelsey made 34 saves in goal for the Grizzlies, while Jameson Kaine blocked 26 shots for the Rivermen, who are second in the Coastal Conference.
The Grizzlies penalty kill held Langley (32-17-3) at bay in all four of the Rivermen power plays. Victoria went 1-2 on the odd-man on Wood’s goal.
The Grizzlies (29-21) lead the season series against Langley 3-2.
Coastal Conference fifth-place Victoria enters the final four-game home stretch of the regular season Wednesday night in Nanaimo against the Clippers at Frank Crane Arena. Both teams have clinched playoff berths.
The third-place Clippers moved to 30-16-4 after tripping up the conference-leading Alberni Valley Bulldogs (34-14-4) 4-2 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Powell River Kings both lost Sunday to remain in a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference. The Capitals have two regular-season games remaining and the Kings three.
