For the Victoria Grizzlies, 鈥檛is not only the season to be jolly, it鈥檚 also a time to start checking out the sa国际传媒 Hockey League scoreboards on a nightly basis and scouring the schedules, feverishly analyzing positions in the standings.
Four points up on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for fourth spot in the Island Division, but having played four more games (prior to Friday night), the Grizzlies will have an eye on their rivals in BCHL play this weekend.
While the Bulldogs are on a gruelling three-day trip through Trail, Penticton and Coquitlam, the Grizzlies head off to Powell River for a pair tonight and Sunday at the not-so-friendly confines of Hap Parker Arena.
Focus will be directly on the Powell River Kings (who are second in the division and on a four-game win streak), but the Grizzlies would be lying if they said they weren鈥檛 tracking what the Bulldogs were up to in the battle for the last playoff spot.
Alberni will be back in Victoria on Tuesday as they fight through a four-games-in-five-days scenario. The Grizzlies will be slugging through three outings in four days.
鈥淲e鈥檙e for sure checking out Alberni鈥檚 games, seeing how they鈥檙e doing. We know we control our own outcome here, we just have to keep working hard and get some more wins before Christmas break,鈥� said the Grizzlies鈥� No. 1 goaltender Matthew Galajda, who is 6-1-0-2 in his last nine at home and looking for more success on the road.
He has also helped defeat the Kings in the last three matchups, one in Powell River.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e a pretty familiar team now for us,鈥� Galajda said of the Kings. 鈥淲e鈥檝e played them pretty solid and we鈥檙e looking for another two wins this weekend and we鈥檙e confident we can do it.
鈥淭he team is working hard. I feel like I鈥檓 controlling my rebounds now this late in the season and confidence is key for us.鈥�
Victoria is coming off a 2-1 double-overtime loss at home to the division-leading Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday after a decisive 4-2 win over the Bulldogs on Friday, also at The Q Centre.
The Grizzlies, although playing much better, have won just two of their last seven games, while earning that single point in the OT loss.
Veteran Brayden Gelsinger is currently on a four-game scoring streak in which he has tallied five times. He also has 22 points in his last 16 games and his 10 goals are tied for the team lead with Cole Pickup. Gelsinger鈥檚 35 points is tied for 10th in the league.
IN THE DEN: Captain P.J. Conlon will be out of the lineup tonight as he writes his SAT exam today, so Kevin Massy skated as a forward at practice. . . . Following Tuesday鈥檚 game, the Grizzlies will welcome the lone American team in the league, the expansion Wenatchee Wild, a week from tonight, which is also Teddy Bear toss night.
