VICTORIA 5 ALBERNI 4
Bill Bestwick made a move in the off-season acquiring the Fitzgerald triplets, Myles, Gerry and Leo, in hopes of causing the opposition some fits - or Fitz in this instance.
They're proving the case early as Myles scored a pair of goals, including the tying marker with 1: 17 remaining in the third period and the winner, in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Saturday afternoon.
Myles Fitzgerald also had an assist as the Grizzlies return to the Island after taking three of a possible four points in their two games at the sa国际传媒 Hockey League's opening Showcase tournament in Chilliwack.
"It's a great start, especially coming off the night before when we thought we could have come out with two points and we didn't," said Bestwick, whose troops scraped and clawed their way to the victory after dropping a 1-0 overtime loss to Coquitlam on Friday. "It'll give us confidence heading into next week.
"We showed a lot of character less than 24 hours later to respond with some adversity attached to it. We're proud of how the kids came back."
They did it four times on Saturday, continually trailing until Myles popped the winner. His brother Gerry recorded an assist as the trio continues to play a highenergy, buzzing style that creates chances.
"They did [Friday] as well and had their chances, they just didn't finish," Bestwick said of the triplets, who are from the Alberni Valley area. "They did [Saturday] and we expect more of that as the season progresses."
Chase Kaiser had a goal and an assist, while Garrett Skrbich and Mark McLellan chipped in with a goal each for the Grizzlies.
Lars Hespo replied with three goals for the Bulldogs, who also received a goal from Nathan Craft. Ryan Lough had three assists in the losing cause.
Mike Stiliadis earned the win in goal for the Grizzlies, facing just 18 shots. In two games, Victoria has now out-shot its opposition 70-45.
"Our territorial play, puck possession and scoring chances, I think, have been superior to our opponents," said Bestwick.
The power play, which was 0-for-5 on Friday, was 1for-7 on Saturday, so obviously requires some work.
"It is early," Bestwick said. "Of course, we would like to take more advantage on those opporunities, but we were generating chances and I'm sure it's going to get cleaned up. We'll work on it and it'll get better."
The 1-0-1 Grizzlies will now host Powell River in on Friday at 7: 15 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena with Vancouver's highly entertaining Green Men in attendance on an opening night promotion for the new Vancouver Island Sports and Entertainment Ltd. group.
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