If Tuesday鈥檚 final regular-season encounter between the Victoria Grizzlies and Powell River Kings was a statement game, one team did most of the talking.
In what was likely a preview of a first-round playoff matchup, the Grizzlies spoke volumes, scoring early and never relenting in handing the visitors a 7-4 setback at Bear Mountain Arena. It followed an overtime loss and OT win in Powell River last weekend.
The Grizzlies continue to roll along in first place overall in the sa国际传媒 Hockey League, improving to 31-9-0-6 and have now gained at least a single point in their last 13 games. They have not lost in regulation time since Dec. 29.
They did manage to allow the Kings back into the game, blowing a 6-1 advantage before netting an empty-netter.
鈥淔inding ways to win is really important for the hockey team,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Bill Bestwick. 鈥淲e鈥檒l probably see them in the first round and they were missing players.
鈥淚s it a true indicator of the team either side ices in playoffs? Probably not. But I thought we carried the play. I didn鈥檛 like the fact that we鈥檝e lost two third periods against them.鈥�
Victoria was up 6-0 against the Kings 11 days ago and won 6-2.
Affiliated player Brody Coulter got the Grizz going on Tuesday, scoring at 2:26 of the first period. Matt Dupont replied for the Kings at 7:19, but Stefan Nicholishen scored just 43 seconds later for Victoria, which led 2-1 after 20 minutes and out-shot Powell River 17-6.
The second period was all Victoria.
Cole Golka, another affiliated player, and Nicholishen scored a minute apart midway through the second, shortly after Victoria鈥檚 Pearce Eviston was easily stopped by Braeden Ostepchuk's blocker on a penalty shot.
Keyler Bruce, Leo Fitzgerald and Coulter (his second into an empty net) also scored for the Grizzlies. Evan Richardson, Stephen Hiff and J.P. Villeneuve had the other Kings goals.
Myles Fitzgerald extended his point-scoring streak to 19 games, although his assist from Saturday鈥檚 game has not officially been recorded.
鈥淥bviously, as of right now, this is our first-round opponent. These games are important. I thought the last two games, in our barn, we did a better job playing against them,鈥� said Kings assistant coach Derek Bachynski.
Victoria is on the road this weekend in Langley, Salmon Arm and Vernon.
