A deserved home win, the first in quite some time saw a confident Grizzlies team complete hard for 3 periods against a determined Langley squad in a basement tussle at the 'Bear' on Friday night. The Grizzles who were able to ice 3 forward lines and 6 defenders, which also saw Kevin Smith playing a fair amount of time as a forward, having 15 skaters(we have been icing 13 recently) sure makes a difference and with good effect tonight. The Grizzlies welcomed back Mark McLellan and Mitchell Smith back into the lineup tonight after missing last weekend's Powell River trip. No AP's where available due to the VIJHL having a full playoff schedule at this time.
1st Period: The Grizzlies and Rivermen both came out of the gates with lots of energy, with the Grizzlies forward lines looking in the mood to give Langley goaltender James Barr a tough time of it. Chase Kaiser, who has been a standout during this tough run of games for the franchise, would give the home team the lead on the 2 minute mark, from a power play goal as he would place his shot coolly passed R'men goalie James Barr; with assists from Hansen and Holland(it looked like Kevin Smith may have had the assist though).With both teams laying some good hits and not giving an inch, the crowd was certainly entertained in this high tempo first period. Hansen, Powell, Holland, Kaiser and Kevin Smith would keep the pressure on the Langley defenced while the Rivermen forwards, Puskarich and former Grizz power-forward Mike Tebbutt would keep Grizzles goalie Taylor Pears busy.
However, Langley would tie it up, after Jackson Playfair would beat Pears towards the end of the first. Langley could have taken the courtesy of Mike Tebbutt as he must be kicking himself, after a beauty of a pass from Puskarich across the face of the Grizzlies goal, was mishit by Tebbutt on an open Grizzlies net, after Pears had been left stranded from the initial pass. A 1-1 scoreline at the end of the first.
2nd Period: Saw Langley star and playmaker, Austin Plevy give Langley a 2-1 lead after a nice pass from Sutcliffe. With both teams keeping up a torrid pace, the crowd felt goals would be on the menu tonight and the Grizzlies who were full of confidence, would level the game after a great shot from the skilled/nimble Myles Powell to make it 2-2. Kevin Smith, would also ring a powerful slap shot off of the Langley post and was unlucky not to score. In the last 10 minutes of the 2nd, neither side would back down, as Ben Grenier would score give Langley a 3-2 lead; only for the inform Coltyn Hansen to tie it up with his 18th goal of the season. 3-3 at the end of the 2nd.
However, on a sour note, Mark McLellan and Mitchell Smith would both leave the game in the first two periods with injuries.
3rd Period: Both teams would pepper each others net in the third, but it would be Cam Lawson to the rescue as he would send the Grizzlies faithful into ecstasy, scoring the game winning goal on the power play to make it a 4-3 scoreline. Lawson, who has been a real treat to watch all season, has shown he can be a real difference maker at this level and has stepped it up in key situations on multiple occasions in the 2011/12 season.
After the goal, things would boil over and Jaden Schmeisser who is never one to back down from a challenge, would duke it out with a couple of Rivermen; which during the fisticuffs would see Cam Lawson get jumped by a Langley player as well. Taylor Pears, would keep Langley at bay in the last few minutes as the Grizzlies would earn a character victory, to jump up to sixth place, ahead of both Alberni and Langley. The Grizzlies have played a few extra games, in what is looking like a three team battle to avoid the wooden spoon in the last 8 or so games left in the season.
Afterwards Lawson commented on centering the top line between Hansen and Kaiser, “It’s been good we have some good chemistry and it’s pretty easy for me to play with them and find them busting down the wing with their great speed. Hopefully we can keep it going. Lawson also talked about how nice it was to get a win at home, “It was great we have some very loyal fans and it was nice to win one for them here at home. The guys have all been staying positive and every single guy here is committed to getting better.
Game Thought Grizzlies: What a difference a couple of extra players make, as the Grizzlies competed all night against a Langley team who came to the Westshore looking for both points.
Kasier, Hansen and Lawson again showed what an asset they have been to the team this season and what they can and will be capable of next season.
Taylor Pears did everything necessary to ensure he stopped Langley and pulled off a number of key saves.
Solid on special teams tonight.
The boys themselves haven't been disheartened despite some of the scorelines in recent weeks and showed that they won't be intimidated or back down to any opponent; even if they are undermanned.
Game Thoughts Langley: Good effort from Langley tonight as they where given everything they could handle from a hardworking Grizzlies team. Langley is a young team and should be better equipped and stronger for next season. Players like Pellah, Chickin, Puskarich and Vlanich should make the Rivermen a force in the BCHL next season. From watching Langley a few times this season, the talent has been there, but, it looks like the coaching hasn't gotten it done.
Victoria leads the season series v's Langley 4 - 2 with one game left to play at Bear mtn, two weeks from now.
3 Stars of the game:
1st * Chase Kasier 2nd *Austin Plevy 3rd * Taylor Pears
Attendence: 907 (why not) Shots on Goal : Grizzlies 36 Langley 38
Power plays: Grizzlies 2 for 7 and Langley 0 for 1
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| Chase Kaiser |
