The Victoria Grizzlies were looking to start 2025 they way they finished 2024 — with a victory — and veteran Kyle Kelsey made sure they did.
Kelsey, the 20-year-old nerminder from Maple Ridge, came in at the start the third period in place of starter Oliver Auyeung-Ashton and allowed just one goal in the final frame, none in the 10-minute overtime and then stopped all three shots in the shootout to earn the Grizzlies a 6-5 victory over the Coquitlam Express on Friday night at The Q Centre.
The Grizzlies (17-9-4-0) started strong, taking a 3-1 lead after the first period thanks to goals from Alex Hebblethwaite, Julian Cull and Stone Rolston. But the Express (15-11-2-2) started rolling in the second. Nate Crema, Masson Kesserling and Leo eperjesi all beat Auyeung-Ashton to give the visitors the lead after 40 minutes.
Reegan Hiscock and Thomas Molson brought the Grizzlies back to life as Molson set up linemate Hisock for back-to back goals five minutes part. But Carson McGinley beat Kelsey at the 10-minute mark of the third to forced the overtime period.
After OT, solved nothing, Chase Pirtle was the lone scorer in the shootout to give the Grizzlies the victory.
Auyeung-Ashton made 25 saves over two periods, while Kelsey finished with 11 saves.
The Grizzlies now pack their bags for a trip to Port Alberni today where they’ll take on the Bulldogs. Alberni Valley lost 5-1 to the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies were again without injured defenceman Easton Kovacs and forward Tobias Pitka, who is on his way back from the world junior championship in Ottawa where he suited up for Team Slovakia. … The Grizzlies and Express won’t meet again until the final game of the regular season on March 29 at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.
