The Game: So another tough go of things for Victoria and an undermanned Grizzlies line up, that did their best to compete,but, where eventually overwhelmed by Powell River.
With really only two forward lines due to injuries to Bilious, Ursic, Walchuk and numerous AP's unavailable due to the VIJHL all star game, it was always going to be tough.
Taking the positives though; in the first period the boys competed with the Kings with Coltyn Hansen and Chase Kaiser giving the Kings all kinds of problems. Even though the Grizzlies went 2-0 down, midway through the first, the powerplay was clicking (despite a lack of practice) with Kevin Smith proving to be an excellent PP quarterback. The Grizzlies would make it 2-1 with a nicely work powerplay goal via Coltyn Hansen who would beat Kings back up goalie Jonah Imoo.
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| Kevin Smith |
Although the Grizzlies turned in another determined effort, the strength and talent of Powell River's line up would hammer the Grizzlies in the final two frames as Leung, Richardson (ex-Grizz), Williams and Neil would all record 3 points on the night. Imoo, played very well for Powell River and the shut down trio of Williams, Dalrymple and Jutzi would ensure no joy for the depleted Grizzlies line up on the night. The Grizzlies would score a consolation goal at the end of the 2nd again on the Powerplay with Chase Kaiser scoring with assists from Smith and Hansen.
A couple of tilts in the game, saw new King and ex Capital Captain, Brandon MacDonald go up against Grizzlies AP, Desmond Bast, a big bodied forward who was banging and crashing anything that moved in a Powell River jersey. Bast's, size and toughness was a welcomed addition to the line up. In the final minute, Kaiser and Schuler would exchange a few punches.
Game Thoughts: Now it's no fun to show up and watch a team that gets hammered by 10 or 12 goals every night, that's tough on the players and the fans. I believed it's called Westshore Stingers syndrome. The scorelines have been ugly these last three games on a very undermanned Grizzlies team. Being out scored 28 - 7 in the last 3 games is just darn right ugly.
Now, flip the coin.
With a little more practice with the team we have in place, can only help due to the amount of changes since last week. With the VIJHL all-star game on the same day as Sunday's Powell River game, the opportunity to have had more AP's was uo with the Grizz was limited. Hopefully we can see a few more AP's in the line up next weekend to give us a few extra players.
One big positive has been the players who have been on the 3rd and 4th line for most of the season, are really starting to show what they can do being on the top two lines. Hansen, Kaiser, Lawson, Sandor, Powell and Alex Holland are really showing what they can do in those forward roles. Mark McLellan has looked promising with good hands and sees the ice well. At 17, he'll be a big part of the next two Grizzlies seasons.
Kevin Smith and Jaden Schmeisser have been welcome additions to the defence and along with DeJong and Gonzales, make a pretty solid top 4 defensive core.
Rockafellow, has been a little hot and cold lately,but, most fans believe he can and will take this opportunity to establish himself as a solid BCHL goaltender.
As fans, lets see the season out and support the players we have left.
Attendence - 884 Powerplays - Grizzlies 2 for 5 and Powell River 0 for 1.
Shots on Goal - Grizzlies 20 and Powell River 41
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| Chase Kaiser |
Grizz Notes : Kevin Smith and Chase Kaiser are both wearing the 'A' on their jerseys right now. Not sure about the 'C' are the other 'A'(I hear it might be Braxton) at this time.
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