The Victoria Grizzlies were decked out in their new home-white jerseys and ready to celebrate Alex Newhook Night as the former Grizzlies captain and Stanley Cup champion had his jersey retired in a pre-game ceremony on Friday at The Q Centre.
But the Alberni Valley Bulldogs weren’t in the partying mood. The Bulldogs scored two goals 16 seconds apart midway through the second period and then cruised to a 4-1 victory.
Newhook, whose parents and aunt were on hand to see the Montreal Canadiens forward’s No. 18 Grizzlies jersey join those of the Benn brothers — Jamie and Jordie — and fellow Stanley Cup champion Tyler Bozak in The Q Centre rafters, won the Stanley Cup in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche and was traded to the Habs this summer.
The current Grizzlies could have used his scoring touch Friday as they were stymied at every turn by Bulldogs netminder Hlib Artsatbanov, who made 49 saves.
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton faced 27 shots in the Grizzlies net and was beaten by Cole Bishop and Cam VanSickle in the middle frame, and VanSickle and Jimmy Lyver in the third period.
Victoria drops to 3-2 on the season and returns to action tonight when they play host to the Coquitlam Express.
