PENTICTON 5
VICTORIA 0
With an 0-2 start to the weekend, the Victoria Grizzlies venture into Langley this afternoon in what will be another crucial sa国际传媒 Hockey League matchup.
This one will be even more pivotal as the Grizzlies were blanked 5-0 by the league-leading Penticton Vees on Saturday night and combined with Alberni鈥檚 3-2 overtime loss in Merritt, Victoria is now tied in points with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the race for the last playoff spot in the Island Division.
Both teams have just three games remaining. The Bulldogs are in Surrey today against the worst team in the entire BCHL, which makes the Victoria game an imperative one.
Should the tems finish tied in points, the Grizzlies do hold the first tie-breaker in overall wins with 22 compared to 20 for the Bulldogs, as of today.
鈥淔or sure, it鈥檚 a big game. There are no easy teams here,鈥� said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon, who was not dissatisfied with his team鈥檚 efforts in Penticton or in Wenatchee in Friday鈥檚 2-1 loss.
鈥淚鈥檝e got no complaints with our effort against two very good teams. I thought tonight we had a great third period and we need that same effort [today].鈥�
The Bulldogs had a recorded a 2-2 tie in Prince George on Friday which gave the Grizzlies some life.
In Penticton, Nick Jones scored a pair of goals for the hosts while Easton Brodzinski, Demico Hannoun and Tyson Jost (on a 5-on-3 power play with 26 seconds left) added one goal apiece as the Vees had leads of 3-0 and 4-0 by periods.
Matthew Galajda started in goal for Victoria but was replaced to start the second period by Mitchel Benson. Galajda had seven stops while Benson made 29 saves. Benson is expected to start today. Zachary Driscoll stopped all 20 shots for Penticton, which improves to 48-6-0-1 overall and 26-1 at home.
