So, the come back kids of Victoria would strike again and this time at the expense of the feisty Chilliwack Chiefs. Even without Wes Myron, the Grizzlies inserted Mike Moran into the top line which would be the difference maker in this game.
1st Period: This would be no defensive battle, as the Grizzlies would get on the board in the first minute when Mike Moran scored the Grizzlies first, with a little help from Murphy and Pernerowski. That lead was to be very short lived, as the Chiefs would dart down the ice quickly and tie it up through Gossard. Now, hopefully you didn't get to the game late, as Moran would score his 2nd goal of the night within 3 minutes(on the PP) after a quality pass from the Flying Dutchman, Ten Vaanholt would allow Mike to cut in to beat a sprawling Bryton Udy in the C'wack goal to make it 2-1 Grizz.
Credit to the Chiefs, as they stuck with their game plan and really broke up the ice quickly catching the Grizz Dmen on there heels a few times. Mike Berry, would level it for the Chiefs at 2-2 during a 4 goal in five minute display. After some sustained Chiefs pressure, on 9 minutes Kit Sitterley would launch a screamer of a shot from just over the blue line to beat Jamie Tucker who was probably well screened. The Chiefs would go in 3-2 ahead at the end of the first.
2nd Period: One opponent that impressed tonight was David Bondra(son of NHLer Peter), his puck movement and skating off the puck was excellent and looked dangerous whenever his first line was out on the ice. Chilliwack would increase their lead through a shorthanded goal after Malcolm Gould dispossessed Sean Robertson, kept his cool and beat Jamie Tucker for a 4-2 lead. The Chiefs run and gun offence, would keep it in gear as David Bondra(PP) scored after nice work again from Gould again. With the Grizz, 5-2 down and having some issues with this pacey/ forechecking, Harvey Smyl Chiefs team, the Grizz owe credit to Lawson and Holland on the 2nd line; who where battling hard all night for the puck and did some good work along the boards.
Now, cue the 5 goal unanswered Victoria comeback. This would start courtesy of powerplay specialist Taylor Pernerowski, who would beat Udy with assists from Mike Moran and Ten Vaanholt(that trade with Penticton for Moran, looking pretty fantastic right about now).Mike Moran would then put the Grizzlies within a goal of the visitors with a PP goal and his hat-trick which included an assist from Wade Murphy, who's speed and prowess caused the Chiefs a lot of issues most of the night including a few turnovers.
3rd Period: The Chiefs who had competed hard all night, looked to be running out of gas in the 3rd. Early period goals from Godinho and the workhorse that is Alex Holland, would put the Grizzlies 6-5 up after a nice break down the wing from Robertson passing nicely to Holland capping another amazing 2011 comeback. The Grizzlies had started to play the Chiefs a little harder in the 3rd, and this really translated into a character win for the Grizz. Holland, who linked up well with Lawson on the 2nd line tonight would add the empty netter to send the Grizzlies faithful home happy.
Game Thoughts Victoria: A real character win, with 5 unanswered goals and a real look at the quality play of Mike Moran. Even at 3 goals down to Chilliwack it didn't seem to phase Victoria too much, as that was another improbable comeback against a good Chilliwack team. Murphy, Ten Vaanholt where bang on form again and Cam Lawson just keeps getting better with each game.
This win vaults the Grizzlies up to 3rd place and we are now at the .500 mark at 6 wins and 6 losses. Wow, those comebacks, are almost becoming trademark.
Game thoughts Chilliwack: The Chiefs played well tonight and with there quick offensive minded team, will be a handful for most BCHL squads this season. Harvey Smyl coached teams, are well organized and entertaining team(some games a little dirty) and up until the third period could have won this tilt tonight. One thing is for sure, the BCHL is lucky to be back in Chilliwack which is a solid Jnr A hockey market, with average crowds of around 2,000 fans a game at the beautiful Prospera place.
Standouts for the Grizzlies:
Mike Moran: Worth every bit of his commitment to Boston University and has really impressed with the Grizzlies since his trade from the Vees. Got his hat-rick and a assist tonight and wasn't afraid to get down and dirty in his own end, to help out the defence.
Wade Murphy: Again oozes confidence and was Murphtastic(sorry Wade) on his 18th Birthday as the Murphinator(sorry again Wade) was quick and fearless all night; turning provider on two of Moran's goals and adding another assist for three on the night.
Cam Lawson: Just does a bit of everything and does it well. Has come into his own in a Grizz uniform so far and has turned into a key contributor.
3rd line of Kaiser, Godinho and Hansen: They didn't have tons of ice time tonight,but, they are effective and dangerous when they break forward or close down opponents in the neutral zone. More ice time for these guys please.
Taylor Pernerowski: You know good things are gonna happen whenever he's out on the PP.
Standouts for C'wack:
Malcolm Gould
David Bondra: Quick, composed on the puck and was the Chiefs best player tonight as he found space and holes in the Grizzlies D, which he exploited to good effect tonight.
3 Stars of the Games
1st *Mike Moran 2nd * Taylor Pernerowski 3rd*Malcolm Gould
Attendance: 1038(getting closer) Shots on goal: Victoria- 22 and Chilliwack 31 Powerplay: Victoria 2 for 6 and Chilliwack 1 for 5
.
No comments:
Post a Comment