The Victoria Grizzlies weren鈥檛 able to lock down a victory at the sa国际传媒 Hockey League Showcase in Chilliwack over the weekend, but seem to have secured some scholarship endeavours.
Tyler Welsh is close to committing to Yale University, and veterans Jake Stevens and Cole Pickup also drew plenty of interest and could soon have offficial offers.
In total, 23 NCAA schools showed an interest with 12 different Victoria players.
On the ice, the Grizzlies dropped a 5-4 double-overtime decision to the Trail Smoke Eaters on Sunday morning and are now 4-1-1-1 for 10 points and just one point up on the 4-1-1-0 Cowichan Valley Capitals in the Island Division.
Victoria now has a loss, tie and overtime setback to show for its past three games after starting the year with four straight victories. The Grizzlies will travel to Alberni Valley on Wednesday night to face the 3-2-1 Bulldogs, who sit third. Victoria is back home on Friday to play host to the Coquitlam Express.
Nanaimo (3-3) and Powell River (3-4) round out the division.
Welsh, Stevens, Cory Hatcher and Jamie Rome all scored for Victoria on Sunday, while captain Cody Van Lierop added three assists. Goalie Mitchell Benson was busy facing 42 shots.
Tyson Slater recorded the game-winner at 2:23 of the second extra session. Luke Santerno had a goal and two assists for Trail, while Kale Howarth, Joshua Laframboise and Ross Armour had the other Smoke Eaters鈥� goals. Linden Marshall faced 25 shots in goal for Trail (2-4).
On Saturday, the Grizzlies tied Langley 3-3.
Pickup remains tied for the league-lead in points with 12 (5 goals, 7 assist) in seven games.
