It’s parents weekend for the Victoria Grizzlies, and while it took a while, mom and dad had plenty to cheer about on Friday night.
The Grizzlies made it five straight games with at least a point, scoring two goals in the third period and one in overtime to pick up a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the West Kelowna Warriors at The Q Centre.
Chase Pirtle played overtime hero, gathering the puck in the corner and throwing it toward the net where it banked off a defenceman and past Warriors goaltender Jack Lisson with just two minutes remaining in the 10-minute extra frame. It was Pirtle’s team-leading 13th goal of the season and gave the Grizzlies four wins and an overtime loss in their last five games.
The Warriors (8-9-4-1) kept the Grizzlies’ parents in their seats for the first two periods as goals by Ian Alonso and Elias Callgren in the second gave the visitors a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
But half way through the third period, the Grizzlies (12-5-3-0) came to life thanks to a power-play goal from Alex Hebblethwaite at the 10-minute mark. Three minutes later, it was Seamus Latta finishing off a great individual effort to draw the home team even.
The victory also pushed Grizzlies verteran netminder Oliver Auyeung-Ashton’s perfect record to 7-0 as the Coquitlam native who’s NCAA committed to Colgate, made 33 saves for the victory. Lisson had a strong game in a losing cause, making 47 saves for the Warriors.
The Grizzlies are back at it tonight when they host the Coquitlam Express at The Q Centre. The Express (12-6-5-2) are coming off a 6-4 loss to the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday night in Duncan.
