The Victoria Grizzlies, scoring early and often, took care of business in the first period at Island Savings Centre in Duncan on Saturday night.
The Grizzlies exploded for five goals unanswered in the opening period en route to a 7-4 sa国际传媒 Hockey League victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Ethan Nother led the first-period assault with two goals as Justin Michaelian, Jamie Rome and defenceman Nico Somerville also scored.
Starting goaltender Michael Corson was driven from the Cowichan Valley crease after just six minutes and 22 seconds and replaced by J.J. Pichette.
It was a game of flurries as a determined Capitals squad brought it to within two goals on three consecutive second-period tallies by Ethan Scardina, Jonathan Stein and Tate Coughlin.
But Nother鈥檚 third goal of the game, and 22nd of the season, stemmed the momentum and put the Grizzlies back on track late in the second.
Marty Westhaver of the Grizzlies and Brendan Cherwalk of the Capitals exchanged shorthanded goals in the third period.
Victoria rookie sensation Alex Newhook, vying for the league scoring crown, and projected for the first round of the 2019 NHL draft, had three assists for the Grizzlies. Victoria put 42 shots on the Cowichan Valley net. Kurtis Chapman faced 27 shots in goal for Victoria.
It was the first of three straight meetings for the Grizzlies against the Capitals. The Grizzlies are back in the Island Savings Centre on Wednesday before hosting the Capitals next Saturday at the Q Centre.
Victoria leads the Island Division at 26-17-7 while Cowichan Valley is last at 9-33-7.
