The Victoria Grizzlies could be forgiven if they seem a little tired these days.
Saturday’s 3-2 loss in Powell River in double overtime was the fourth time in a week that the Grizzlies needed two extra periods to decide a B.C. Hockey League contest.
The Colwood-based team was coming off a 4-4 double OT tie with the visiting Coquitlam Express on Friday night at The Q Centre, and played both of their opponents at the recent Bauer BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack into a second extra period.
The Kings, who seem to relish playing at home against B.C. Hockey League opponents given the rather unfriendly ferry schedule, got the winner in a four-on-three situation from Cam Donaldson. His goal 3:01 into the second five-minute OT period came with Victoria’s Nathan Looysen in the box for tripping.
The win was the fifth straight for Powell River (6-4-0-0) after they won just once their first five games. With the overtime loss and single point, the Grizzlies remained in first place in the Island Division at 5-1-2-2, one point ahead of Cowichan Valley (6-2-1-0) and two up on the Kings.
Powell River had more jump early on Saturday and built a 2-0 lead on goals by Johan Steen and Kyle Betts 26 seconds apart midway through the first period.
But the Grizzlies got going in the second and pulled within one on a goal by rookie Cory Hatcher, his fourth in as many games. Cody Van Lierop tallied his first of the season to make it 2-2 at the 12:31 mark of the third.
The teams each managed four shots apiece in overtime, with the Kings’ 42nd of the night beating Grizzlies goalie Matthew Galajda for the winner.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
