The Victoria Grizzlies were blitzed 6-2 by the Merritt Centennials in a sa国际传媒 Hockey League Showcase game played at the Seattle Kraken NHL training facility in Seattle.
Each BCHL team is playing two regular-season games at the Showcase in front of numerous NCAA and NHL scouts. The Grizzlies opened in the Showcase on Tuesday with a 3-2 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors but things didn’t go as well on Wednesday against the Centennials.
Chase Pirtle and Cam Smith, with his second goal in two games, scored for the Grizzlies (9-3-0). Owen Bresson made 18 saves for Victoria while Karlis Mezsargs made 30 saves to play a key role for Merritt (5-6-1).
The Cowichan Valley Capitals (1-9-1) got things started for Island teams in the Showcase in 6-5 and 4-1 losses to the Chilliwack Chiefs and defending league-champion Penticton Vees on Sunday and Monday.
The defending Coastal Conference-champion Alberni Valley Bulldogs (7-4) defeated the Cranbrook Bucks (3-8-1) 5-3 on Wednesday and meet the Trail Smoke Eaters (4-3-3) today in Seattle. The Nanaimo Clippers (5-4-1) were playing the Smoke Eaters late Wednesday night in the Showcase and close out against the Prince George Spruce Kings (2-3-3) today.
The Grizzlies now return home to prepare for a home date at The Q Centre on Friday night against Cowichan Valley.
