Brett Gruber of the Victoria Grizzlies stays a step ahead of Alberni Valley’s Josh Adkins during the teams’ recent B.C. Hockey League game in Port Alberni. The Grizzlies host Penticton and Powell Friday and Saturday night, respectively, at The Q Centre.

Brett Gruber of the Victoria Grizzlies stays a step ahead of Alberni Valley’s Josh Adkins during the teams’ recent B.C. Hockey League game in Port Alberni. The Grizzlies host Penticton and Powell Friday and Saturday night, respectively, at The Q Centre.

Busy weekend ahead for Grizzlies

BC Hockey League team set to play pair of games at The Q Centre

The relatively well-rested Victoria Grizzlies should be raring to go for this weekend’s back-to-back home games at The Q Centre.

The Grizzlies, whose last game was a 5-2 win over Alberni Valley in Port Alberni on Nov. 1, host the Penticton Vees on Friday (Nov. 7) and Powell River Kings on Saturday night. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Last weekend’s game against the Bulldogs saw the Grizzlies use a big third period to rack up the score.

Cole Pickup’s unassisted third period marker gave the visitors a 2-1 lead midway through the final frame. The Bulldogs tied it up with 2:14 left on a shorthanded goal from Darian Henry, but Victoria regained the lead 56 seconds later on the power play when Matthew Kennedy notched his second of the game, from Dane Gibson.

With the Bulldogs’ goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Grizzlies found the open net twice in the final minute, as Mitchell Barker and Kevin Massy added to the margin.

Michael Stiliadis made 29 saves for the win.

Wolves keeping pace with defending champs

The Victoria Cougars may have some games in hand, but the Westshore Wolves are making their games count in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League play.

The Jr. B Wolves are running neck and neck with the two-time defending league champs atop the South Division. A 7-4 win over Nanaimo at home on Wednesday night kept the Wolves (14-5-1) even with Cougars (14-2-1) at 29 points.

Last night, Westshore held leads of 4-3 and 5-4 at the intermissions then put the game away with goals in the third by Tyler Smith and Spencer Preece. Cory Hatcher and Jordan Law scored twice each for the Wolves.

The Wolves were coming off a 4-3 win over Kerry Park the previous Wednesday. Corey Peterson led the Westshore attack with a goal and two assists, while Jordan Martin, Law and Kyle Richter also scored. Chris Smith made 21 saves for the victory.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com

Goldstream News Gazette