Looking to build off their big win over the league-leading Penticton Vees last Sunday, the Victoria Grizzlies came flying out of the gate on Wednesday night at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo.
But the Clippers weathered the storm, capitalized on a late Grizzlies miscue and edged Victoria 4-3, sending the 1,062 fans home happy.
With just 1:17 left in the third period, Grizzlies defenceman Drayson Pears turned the puck over at the Victoria blue line and Brady Lynn pounced, sliding the puck over to teammate Jamie Collins, who quickly beat a stunned Zach Rose in the Victoria net to put the Grizzlies away.
The Grizzlies were without captain Lucas Clark and big winger Ryan Nolan due to injuries, so veteran Jamie Rome stepped up and scored twice, but the Clippers turned the tables in the second period to win the last of eight regular-season contests between the Island Division rivals.
After Rome and Parker Colley traded goals in the first period, Rome struck again on a Grizzlies’ power play midway through the middle frame to give the visitors the lead. But back came the Clippers again. Lynn and Lucas Vanroboys scored four minutes apart to give the Clippers the lead after 40 minutes. T.J. Friedmann, with his 18th of the season, brought the Grizzlies even 2:37 into the third with a high wrister over Nanaimo netminder Taz Burman.
Rose, who earlier in the day accepted an NCAA scholarship from Bowling Green to commence in the fall of 2019, made 35 saves for Victoria, while Burman stopped 26 for the Clippers.
Thanks to Powell River’s 5-2 loss in Wenatchee on Wednesday, the Grizzlies remain atop the Island Division standings with a 25-17-4-3 record, two points up on the Kings. The Clippers moved to within three points of top spot with a 24-20-2-3 record.
The Grizzlies now turn their attention to the Cowichan Valley Capitals as they’ll play the first of three straight against the Caps on Saturday night in Duncan.
LOOSE PUCKS: Following the pair of road games against the Capitals, the Grizzlies return home Feb. 10 to face those same Capitals at The Q Centre. . . . Capitals forward Ty Pochipinski on Wednesday accepted a scholarship offer to play for Colorado College of the NCAA. The 19-year-old leads the Caps with 18 goals.
