T.J. Friedmann and Cody Van Lierop scored 1:01 apart early in the first period and Keyvan Mokhtari added one late in the opening stanza as the visitors skated off with a 4-2 victory at Kal Tire Place.
The win, combined with Powell River鈥檚 5-1 victory over Nanaimo, leaves the Grizzlies just one point away from clinching top spot in the division and that can come tonight in West Kelowna.
鈥淲e know we have a lot to play for,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon. 鈥淭here is a lot up for grabs, playing for the division. There鈥檚 a lot to play for with all these teams jockeying for positions as well. I鈥檓 expecting a difficult weekend.鈥�
The Grizzlies took advantage of some shaky goaltending as the Vipers dressed backup Ty Taylor, who gave up two goals on the first three shots. Meanwhile, Matthew Galajda shone making 35 saves, 29 over the first two periods.
Ryan Brushett finally got the Vipers on the scoreboard on a power-play goal midway through the third. Brett Stapley added another on a man advantage with 3:37 to go. Nathan Looysen closed it out with an empty-netter with 20 seconds remaining.
Victoria will close out the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Penticton.
鈥淰ernon is a very good hockey club, one of the strongest teams in the second half,鈥� Didmon said. 鈥淎nd then Penticton, like Vernon, we beat last time [2-1 in overtime], along with West Kelowna, so you know they鈥檙e all going to be hungry and they鈥檙e not going to take us for granted.鈥�
