Great energy, good atmosphere and intensity from both teams to match in this tilt between Grizzlies and Vees on Friday night.
A noisy crowd of 1247 enjoyed some of the best talent the BCHL has to offer, as the Penticton Vees certainly came as advertised as the powerhouse in the league this season. However, the Grizzlies came at them with everything they could handle tonight and really gave Fred Harbinson's team a real
scare in the third.
First Period: Saw both teams hungry, with chances exchanged at either end. I quite enjoyed watching Mike Moran in the first as he looked like he wanted to put one over on his former Penticton teammates with the intensity he showed tonight.
The Grizzlies has some chances early on and after a little pressure, the yellow and black got caught in their own zone, as the Vees charged up the ice with Penticton D-man, Troy Stretcher beating goalie Jamie Tucker for a 1-0 lead.
The Vees looked dangerous on the attack all night and Joey Benik made it 2-0 Vees at the end of the first. Both teams played good attacking hockey with the difference maker being, the Vees being able to finish there chances.
2nd Period: The Vees would add to their lead from Curtis Loik on the PP on the 5 minute mark and at that point it was looking like an uphill struggle. But, neither team let up on each other and the Grizzlies would finally get on the board. A tired looking Vees defence, had some problems keeping up with Murphy, Myron, Moran line and the 3 M's would finally be rewarded when Myron would find Murphy who's shot would be tipped past Garteig. 3-1 Vees at the end of the 2nd.
3rd Period: For one of the first times this season, you could feel that big crowd energy and the Grizzlies would start to step it up a notch. However, that was not before the impressive Bryce Gervais, who looks like the final piece of the Vees offensive puzzle after his recent trade from Salmon Arm, would beat Tucker after taking a pass from Joey Benik, (who had skated hard all night) would make it 4-1. The Vees, who look like a Major Junior team, with their puck prowess and effectiveness going forward, where a treat to watch. As a fan, you felt they could pull something out of nothing as they rolled their 4 lines very quickly/effectively.
Now, the impressive thing about the Grizzlies was, they where up for this game and kept coming at the Vees and with the 3 M's line seeing more ice time, things would get very interesting.
Myron, would score after Bilious would send the puck into the slot and Myron would direct it by Garteig. 4-2 Vees.
Gervais, who had looked the part all night, scored for his 2nd of the night from Steve Fogarty, who was always in the thick of things whenever on shift and caught the Grizzlies napping on a couple of occasions. 5-2 Vees on the 14 minute mark.
Although the Grizzlies crowd had been pumped from the opening face off, some moans and groans where being heard after the Vees 5th goal. But, you could still sense that the Grizzlies weren't down and out; as the boys started to really get in gear again. Bilious, would score his 4th of the season after being very puck savvy getting jumping up in the play all night, would make it interesting scoring the Grizzles third, to make it 5-3 Vees.
With the crowd still buzzing and the 3 M's line camping out in the Vees zone towards the end of the 3rd , Murphy would score a bullet of a shot by Garteig for a 5-4 scoreline. "Go Grizz Go" was ringing out from sections X and B and the Grizzlies battled hard for the equaliser. Despite the team looking for another version of the comeback kids 6.0, this wasn't not be as Penticton held fast to win this one 5-4.
Game Thoughts Victoria: Never easy to lose at home in this competitive 2011/12 season,but, the boys didn't let themselves down, against a very impressive Vees outfit. They competed hard and even at 4-1 down, came after the Vees. The 3 M's line went toe to toe with the Vees forwards and each player ina Grizzlies uniform played his part for the Grizzlies tonight. If I can add, I thought Braxton Bilious had one of his best games in a Victoria uniform. With Pernerowski still out with a concussion, the Grizzlies defensive core got forward and Bilious looking confident, gave the Grizzlies forwards a better chance with his passing and throwing the puck on net.
Game Thought Penticton: They could very well be the 2012 RBC cup champs. They are talented in all areas of their roster and played some great hockey tonight. Gervais, Fogerty and Beaulieu played hard and where involved whenever they where on the ice tonight. The Vees switched off a bit after they scored there 5th goal and where almost made to pay for it tonight. But, a treat to watch tonight.
Attendance - 1247 Shots on Goal - Grizz 27 and Vees 30 Powerplay - Grizz 0 for 3 and Vees 1 for 3
Nice touch for the boys to come out tonight and salute the fans after the game. Thanks guys!!!
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| The Grizzlies salute the fans after there hard fought loss to the Vees. |
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