The Victoria Grizzlies are winning when it counts these days.
Wednesday night’s 5-2 win over Cowichan Valley in Duncan was the Colwood-based B.C. Hockey League team’s fifth straight and moved the Grizzies a step closer to clinching second place in the Island Division and home-ice advantage to start the playoffs next week.
Dane Gibson scored twice against his former team and Chris Harpur added a goal and an assist to lead the Grizzlies attack on the night. MIchael Stiliadis stopped 18 of 20 shots in net as Victoria wound up its season series against the Capitals.
Victoria (27-18-1-10) sits three points up on third-place Powell River (26-20-1-9) with two games left for each team. The Grizzlies pay a home and home with the division-leading Clippers in Nanaimo tomorrow (Feb. 27) and at The Q Centre on Saturday (7 p.m. start).
Any Victoria win or Powell River loss – the Kings host No. 4 Alberni Valley for two games this weekend – will give the Grizzlies second place. The Kings, losers of four straight like the Bulldogs, can also still be caught for third by Alberni. If the Bulldogs steal a rare pair off the Kings on the Sunshine Coast, those teams would be tied, but Alberni would be awarded third based on having more wins overall.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
