The 2013 Western Canadian Championships

With the inaugural Western Canadian Junior A championships coming to Nanaimo in April 2013, it's already starting to show a lot of excitement throughout the Western Jnr A leagues.

 With the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL and MJHL league winner all taking part and the two finalists of the Westerns going onto the RBC cup afterwards, it should make for a great tourney.

On paper the four Western leagues should make for a higher calibre of play, even above the RBC cup contested by the all the Junior A leagues throughout Canada.

With the Westerns so close to home, it should give not only the host Nanaimo Clippers(who qualify automatically), but, certainly a golden opportunity for the Grizzlies and the rest of the Island teams to try and qualify.
With a lot of good, experienced BCHL players through trades heading to the Grizzlies for the 2012/13 season as well as a very good core of players coming back, from last season, this should be an even bigger incentive for the Grizzlies to make it to the Westerns.
The tournament itself really puts the Nanaimo Clippers back on the Junior hockey map and should be an ecominic boost for the team on and off the ice.
Whoever qualify's for the new Western Championship, it should be well worth heading up to Nanaimo between April 26 and May 5, 2013.

Introducing the VIJHL's Westshore Wolves

There's a Wolf among the sheep in the Junior B ranks as the worst kept secret in the VIJHL takes to the ice for the 2012/13 season.
Vic Gervais, the former GM/Head Coach of the Grizzlies himself will lead the Wolves against the current VIJHL powerhouses in the likes of the Cougars, Panthers and Braves.
With a solid local ownership group, a large pool of Midget players to draw from and playing out of Bear Mountain Arena should ensure a stable and what looks to be a well supported team coming to the Westshore this fall.
With Wolves GM,Vic Gervais well connected in the area, this should give this expansion team a leg up as they look to be competitive in their first season.
As many of the VIJHL teams benefit from the cuts from the Grizzlies main camps to swell their rosters, with Vic Gervias in play, he maybe able to snag some of better talent coming into VIJHL.
If the rumoured new Nanaimo Buccaneers expansion team, enters the VIJHL for next season as well, depending on if ice time can be secured for practice and such, it will move the league up from 7 to 9 teams.
The Wolves, in earlier reports where potentially looking to play their home games on Wednesday nights which could be enticing for local hockey fans looking to get their fix mid-week.

For more info on the Wolves here is the link to their brand new website:

http://site1478.goalline.ca/


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Grizz Roar has been on Vacation - Back Soon!!!

Hi Folks thanks for all of your support this last Grizzlies season. Working on lots of new articles that will be coming up on the blog this weekend, so stay tuned folks

If you have any feedback or comments, I'd love to hear from you.
The blog email address is:  Grizzroarblog@hotmail.com




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Grizzlies Award Banquet 2012

The Victoria Grizzlies held their annual players awards banquet for this season, which took place at Jack's Place Restaurant. After a hard fought season, this night was about the players:
Here are the results and photos taken by Tony Burrows.


Award - Most Inspirational Player - Cam Lawson #7

Awards - Rookie of the Year - Nolan De Jong
            - Scholastic Award
            - Governors Award

Awards - Most Popular By The Fans - Stefan Gonzales
            - Citizenship Award
















Award - Most Valuble Player - Coltyn Hansen
          - Most Exciting Player

Award - Most Dedicated - Chase Kaiser

Award - Plus/Minus Award - Braxton Bilious

Award - Top Scorer- Wes Myron

Award - Friendship Award - Mike Sandor

 

Award - Best Defenceman - Kevin Smith

Ladies and Gentleman your 2011/12 Victoria Grizzlies Players

 

The Grizzlies 2011/12 season as seen through the eyes of a fan

The Grizzlies 2011/12 season as seen through the eyes of a fan:

What Happened:

Off the Ice

Whenever a Grizzlies season starts, there is usually quite a bit of optimism in regards to the teams chances for that season. As the Grizzlies in recent years have been able to attract talent/players on reputation and location of the organization, the Westshore faithful have always expected a playoff push.

However, the start of this season was a little different even before the puck dropped. The WHL was back in town in the form of the Victoria Royals, recently moved via Chilliwack. Hockey fans in the Victoria area had yearned for the return of the “Dub” since it left 17 years earlier. An aggressive marketing campaign by the Royals meant that attendances would more than likely take a hit for the Grizzlies this season. Crowds averaged around the 500-600 mark for most of the season and the atmosphere didn’t feel quite right from September onwards at times.

When the team was dismantled at the deadline with all of the deals made and the ensuing injuries that would transpire, it would leave the team down to 13-14 players and scrambling at times for AP’s. The outcome of this was surprising from the fans standpoint. The fact that the Grizzlies hadn’t traded away the talent like this for years, was an eye opener, but, was done for the future.

As the team struggled after the deadline and the fans became angry with a depleted roster and the results not going the way of the team. Die hard and neutral fans alike, where questioning what was going on and some anger towards the Grizzlies management started to fester. A teddy bear toss which didn’t go according to plan concluded with, for some bizarre reason the opposition players picking up the teddy’s instead of the Grizzlies, which would add fuel to the fire.

But, the other side of this scenario of almost having a new team after Jan 15th, was quite fantastic to see at the same time in it's own twilight zone way. The players who were left on the team gave 110% every night, despite some lopsided defeats. Even with some off ice distractions involving ownership, which may have directly or indirectly affected the team, a depleted Grizzlies line up would get on with just playing hockey.

The fans started to care less about the standings and more about supporting the remaining players. At every home game win or lose, the Grizzlies players would salute the fans and the fans would cheer them on and thank them for their efforts. On the road, the Grizzlies in my mind have travelling with them, the best road support in the league. With the Grizz diehards(and the players parents) following the team around the Lower Mainland to Powell River and all across the Island was a treat to see and deserving for the players.

Not a success for the organization at times as far as attendance, PR and certain elements of the ownership went , but, as mentioned in the “on the ice article”, below, reasons to cheer yet!

On the Ice

On the ice, the roster was looking promising with returnees like Myron, Murphy, Robertson, Bilious and Pernerowski, and ex WHL goalie Jamie Tucker all established Junior vets in the mix. Promising youngsters such as De Jong and Walchuk, plus some early season trades for quality forwards such as Mike Moran and Jerryd Ten Vaanholt had the roster looking competitive with what the rest of the BCHL had to offer.

As the puck dropped, Victoria would go winless in their first 6 games of the season and a few eyebrows where being raised as to when the team would kick it into gear. But, kick into gear they would, with young talent like Myron and Murphy banging in goals for fun with Ten Vaanholt and Moran making the Grizzlies one of the more formidable attacking teams in the league. The Grizzlies throughout the months of late October/November/December looked playoff bound and where playing some very entertaining hockey.

Gold Medalist Wes Myron

Myron, Murphy, Moran, Colantone and Ten Vaanholt where all in the top 15 in scoring; with Myron and Murphy attracting NCAA and even NHL attention. A great accomplishment would see Wes Myron, go on to represent Team Canada West at the World Jnr A Challenge in Langley BC . Captain, Sean Robertson was his usual steady self and Nolan De Jong was looking like a rookie of the year candidate. Players added to the Grizzlies roster like Hansen, Kaiser, Lawson and Alex Holland were adding depth to a hard working Grizzlies team. Key additions like experienced D-man Stefan Gonzales and local forward Mike Collins where a welcomed to the Grizzlies depth chart.

Certain rosters moves would be made to the line up, such as 20 yr old Brad Gehl traded back to Ontario, former Cowichan player Dante Godinho being released and the popular Mike Colantone traded to the Prince George Spruce Kings.

However, even after some great performances, just prior to Xmas the results didn’t go the Grizzlies way. Goaltending at times struggled, with the highly touted Jamie Tucker unable to produce some of the form that made him a Major Junior starter, injuries started to catch up with the team and all of sudden with the new, “4 teams from each conference make the playoffs” started to stare the team in the face. The Grizzlies had slipped into 5/6^th place and where on the outside looking in. Something wasn’t clicking, the team struggled for consistency, at times seemed to be outcoached from the opposition. As the Jan 15^th trade deadline approached, something had to give. And give it did, Owner Head Coach/GM Len Barrie and Vic Gervais did what the Grizzlies/Salsa organization hadn’t done for several years, which was trade away the top talent for futures for the 2012/13 season.

The Trade deadline:
The Grizzlies would make the following deals at the deadline (majority of information from BCHL website)

·         Prior the deadline(Mid December), was the Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Zach McPhee (93)(F) and future considerations to the Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Sean Robertson (91)(D).

·         The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Mike Moran (91)(F) to the Spruce Grove Saints Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.

·         The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jamie Tucker (91)(G) and Mike Collins (91)(F) to the Dauphin Kings Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.

·         The Victoria Grizzlies transfer the playing rights of Wade Murphy (92) (F) to the Penticton Vees in exchange for the playing rights of Mark McLellan (94)(F) and future considerations.

·         The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)(F) to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

·         Taylor Pernerowski is traded to the OJHL Colberg Cougars for future considerations.

·         Kevin Woodyatt, released.

As well as the roster moves, injuries to star forward Wes Myron and promising young players Jesse Ursic and David Walchuk being sidelined for the reminder of the season, would leave the roster very thin indeed. Rookie, Garrett Rockafellow, was outstanding and really took on the load in net, after Tucker was shipped out, But, as Rocks, was getting into his grove, a season ending injury would mean he would be gone for the reminder of the of the Grizzlies run. Enter PIJHL goalie, Nick Taylor and 20 yr old former BCHL goalie Taylor Pears to carry the load for the rest of the season

Although, the additions of 18 year old Saanich Braves defenceman, Jaden Schmeisser would be a nice fit and add a little toughness to the back end and the surprise pick up of 4 season WHL veteran and Kelowna Rocket defender, Kevin Smith would add a quality player who really helped the team out on the ice as Captain and was pretty well an on ice coach at times. Victoria, would also add Mitchell Smith and CJ Lilles back to the roster and where given a special accommodation to sign BCHL vet Cole Gelley to beef the roster up a little

What proceeded to happen from Jan 15 until March 10, wasn’t pretty and at times got darn right ugly. The Grizzlies would only go on to win just 3 games in the last two months of the season and where hit with some heavy defeats as explained in the “Off ice” article. But, to watch the players that where left on the roster battle game in game out and not give up, was an inspiration to watch and shifted the focus from the negative to the positive for much of what was left of the season.

Forwards Coltyn Hansen, Cam Lawson, Chase Kaiser and Alex Holland taking on the top line minutes and responsibilities along with Mike Sandor, Myles Powell and Mark McLellan taking their games to new levels where a treat to watch. Hansen, Lawson, Holland and Kaiser look like they can really produce the points and should be key factors for Victoria next season. Giving the team a very good platform to start from.

Stefan Gonzales

In defence Braxton Bilious, Stefan Gonzales, Jaden Schmeisser, Nolan De Jong and Kevin Smith showed that they could be a very solid/defensive group and thrived showing their talent with more ice time and being thrust into leadership roles. Smith really showed his WHL calibre of play at times, with Gonzales and Bilious showing great leadership skills and much needed consistancy. Schmeisser, showed he belonged at the Jnr A level and added a little of everything to the defence. Nolan De Jong at 16, secured his scholarship to Cornell and showed why he should be a BCHL rookie of the year candidate.

Both goaltenders Nick Taylor and Taylor Pears faced an incredible amount of rubber in their appearances, often averaging 50-60 shots a night. Although, there weren’t many wins between them, the scores could have been higher if not for some stellar shot stopping at times. Credit to both Pears and Taylor.

Wes Myron, despite missing most of 2012 thrilled Grizzlies fans along with Murphy and should be proud of what they brought to the team this year. Both, have received scholarships and attracted attention from the NHL.

Sean Robertson. No other player has worn the Grizzlies colours as much as ‘Robbo’ and the heart he put into this team for nearly 5 seasons, must be acknowledged. Although his new team the Vipers didn’t make the playoff, I’m sure a scholarship for Sean will be announced soon.

Sean Robertson

 The Future

Rumours around the rink stated that new ownership for the Grizzlies is in the works, with majority owner Len Barrie selling his shares. Although, as the rumours where reiterated in the Times Colonist, however, Len Barrie was interviewed in that same article and seemed to be confident about his role with the Grizzlies. Whatever the outcome, it might be time for a fresh start in some of the ownership circles for the Grizzlies and new leadership taking this team forward.

Len Barrie

Here is a link to Mario Annicchiarico’s article: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Grizzlies+Barrie+have+look+forward/6284207/story.html

Looks like a new Head Coach will be announced for the upcoming season as Vic Gervais, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities, rumoured to be the new Junior B coming to the Westshore. Credit to Gervais, for assembling some quality Grizzlies squads over the last 4 years and teams that played entertaining hockey. But, with this needs to come a measure of success and playoff accomplishments, which didn’t really happen in Gervais’s reign at the Grizzlies helm. The Grizzlies have had roster/talent in recent years which should have had more success than they achieved. A fresh start for both parties does indeed look like the right direction!!!

All the futures coming to the Grizzlies. It looks like there is around 10-12 futures coming to this team for next season via the trade deadline and some of the players being rumoured (not confirmed), should turn this team around for this upcoming season. If Wade Murphy is indeed coming back, the Grizzlies have a home town star and one of the best forwards at the Junior A level in the country, coming home to Victoria.

The fans of the Grizzlies, put up with a lot this year and where a little shocked at some of the events and transactions that transpired this season. The Grizzlies need to show that the upcoming season will be a better product on and off the ice to keep the core of the support and attracting new fans this coming off-season. Credit to Grizzlies owner/Business Manager Reza Binab, for getting the ball rolling on this early.

Conclusion

Lets not mess around here. Whatever needs to happen, needs to happen fast to take this hockey club forward. Not a month from now, not mid-summer and not two weeks before the season starts.

Ownership needs to be sorted out and settled if current events are to be believed, to steer the Grizzlies back on course. Everyone must be on the same page and geared for one goal only, the Grizzlies.

Coaching, needs to be in place ASAP to get these futures to the club and confident about joining the Victoria Grizzlies. Attracting new talent/potential and providing the players coming back with stability and the ability to take their game to the next level is paramont.

The only way for the 2012/13 Grizzlies to be portrayed, is as a stable franchise with solid ownership and quality coaching.

End of Season Salute to the Fans

 This is an article written by Dave Findlay, blog author, Grizzlies fan and is in no way endorsed by the Victoria Grizzlies or any other party!!!!

Ex-Grizzlies Mike Collins and Matt Ginn

Congrats to ex-Grizzlie and local Victoria lad Mike Collins, who in his last year of Junior has secured a scholarship to the NCAA div 3, Elmira College in New York State. Collins, who out of the all the players traded at the deadline was certainly the head scratcher, as it would have been nice to have seen Collins finish up his Junior career in his home town after just recently being acquired. Collins, who had been playing well for the Grizzlies before his trade to Dauphin of the MJHL, amassed 6 points in 12 games for the Grizzlies.

Mike Collins

Good luck in the NCAA Mike!!!

Matt Ginn, has done it again, for the 2nd time(3rd maybe) this season. Matt, is the NCAA goalie of the month for February. The University of the Holy Cross shot stopper, has had a stellar first season at the collegiate level and I for one, is interested to see after his NCAA time is up, if he's planning on going to the pros.

Good job Matt!!!!

Matt Ginn

Last Game Of The Season Tonight - Fan Appreciation Night

Come out on out and cheers the boys on tonight for the last game of the Grizzlies 2011/12 BCHL season.
Tonight is fan appreciation night with prizes and jersey draw giveaway's and with the rival Powell River Kings coming into out barn, we should be in for a doozy.
Don't expect any soft touches from the playoff bound Powell River Kings, as they try and lock up first place in the Coastal and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Although a bogey team in recent years, Powell River should be in for a real game of it tonight if the Grizzlies can put in the same effort as Friday.

Victoria Grizzlies 5-4 Langley Rivermen @Bear Mtn Arena, March 9, 2012

It what may have been just the third win in 20 games for , but, that really didn't matter as a confident/hard fought Grizzlies win had the crowd on there feet on Minor League Hockey night.
Watching the game last night and a number of the performances on display, you can't help be excited for what the likes of Lawson, Hansen, Gonzales, Bilious, De Jong, McLellan, Holland, Walchuk, Schmeisser, Powell and Chase Kaiser to name some of the players who will from the nucleus of the 2012/13 will have to offer
After watching the performance against the Rivermen, the Grizzlies competed hard and dominated the Rivermen at certain points on Friday night.

1st Period - Would see the Grizzlies come out of the gate strong and within the first minute would see Cam Lawson weave through the Langley defence to set up Kaiser, who would slot it by goalie Kruger after 16 secs, for a 1-0 lead. The Grizzlies would keep the pressure on the R'men out-shooting them and creating chance after chance in the first 20 minutes. As well as the Hansen's, Holland's, Lawson's and Kasier's creating opportunities this would be a good team effort in the first frame with the defence jumping up in the play and the imposing figure of 18 yr old Campbell River Storm, AP David Sprukts creating some chances. The 6'3 Latvian born forward would lay a couple of nice hits and can really skate for big guy.
A well rounded first period would be capped off by one of the guys who keeps the engine room running, Mike Sandor, as he score his 6th goal of the season with an assist from Chase Kaiser to make it a deserved 2-0 Victoria lead going in at the end of the first.

2nd Period - The Rivermen would find there legs in the 2nd period and would turn the tide as Austin Plevy would keep Langley in the contest, as he would score of a deflection to make it 2-1 on the PP seven minutes in. As 2nd periods go, they haven't often been kind to the Grizzlies this season and Langley would further punish the home team through Mario Puskarich who was a thorn in the Grizzlies side all night with his speed and ability to control the game from the neutral zone.
Puskarich, would would level things

3rd Period - The Grizzlies would come out with a more determined approach in the third and Chase Kaiser who has taken has game to another level this season, would score on the powerplay on the rebound after some nice work from McLellan and Schmeisser to tie things up at 3-3.
Both team would turn it up a notch as the period progressed both looking hungry to take both points.
The Grizzlies would regain the lead through a breakaway from Charles Lilles and after a couple of nice moves would beat Kruger. Lilles who has stepped up with a few nice performances lately has put himself on the radar for next season.
Mike Tebbutt a big power forward who can move the puck would bring the visitors level after 14 minutes, to sending the game into a grandstand finish for the last 5 minutes.
The equalising goal didn't really seem to phase the Grizzlies, as an impressive display on the night as in the last minute, the swift footed Myles Powell would pick up a Mark McLellan pass to beat Kruger to send the Grizzlies fans into ecstasy for the 5-4 victory.

This win was special for two things. It was Nick Taylor's first BCHL win and it took the Grizzlies off the bottom of the Coastal Conference to overtake Langley by one point, at this time.
A really classy move from one of the leaders on our team, Stefan Gonzales to secure the game winning puck for Nick Taylor at the end. Well done Nick and good job Gonzo!!!!!!

Grizz Thoughts - Good solid, hard fought victory tonight and another well rounded team effort.
If these end of season performances mean anything, it's that there is a very good group of players who have shown that they can be a big part of the 2012/13 version of the Victoria Grizzlies. Some good performances from the AP's who where up tonight and great to see a well deserved victory for Nick Taylor.
Some very nice penalty kills from the Grizzlies tonight!!!!


 Stars of the Game:

1st * Chase Kaiser     2nd* Mark McLellan    3rd* Mario Puskarich

Attendence - 907    Shots on Goal - Grizzlies 35 and Rivermen 35 
Powerplays - Grizzlies 1 for 4 and Rivermen 1 for 5

Looking to the future: The Grizz in 2012-13

On January 10^th when the Victoria Grizzlies traded away five veteran players at the trade deadline they kicked off what is hoped to be a quick rebuild for the 2012-2013 hockey season. The team has experienced some short-term pain with just 2 wins and a tie over their last 19 games but the long-term gain should be well worth it. Of the 21 players on the Grizzlies roster the only 4 not eligible to return next season are forward Wes Myron who is going to Boston University on a scholarship, defencemen Kevin Smith, Cole Gelley and goalie Taylor Pears. The 17 skaters who remain should be part of a formidable Grizzlies team next season. The improvement of the young players with the extra ice time they’ve received has been impressive, up front the line of Cam Lawson centering Coltyn Hansen and Chase Kaiser have proved that they are legitimate top 6 forwards at the BCHL level and should be gathering lots of interest from college scouts in the early going next season. That trio along with the re-acquisition of top 5 BCHL point scorer Wade Murphy should give the Grizzlies a strong offensive core. Seventeen year-old Myles Powell who has shown some slick hands and offensive potential should be in the mix for top 9 forward duties, along with Alex Holland, Mike Sandor and Mitchell Smith as they compete for one of the six 20 year old slots. One of the keys for the Grizzlies could be the health of a trio of 17 year-old wingers, David Walchuk, Mark McLellan and CJ Lillies are all over 6’1” and 185lbs and as rookies they have all shown flashes of their potential. Unfortunately they have all battled injuries during the year, when healthy all three are big-bodied wingers with the ability to skate well and have shown a good skill level.

On the blueline the Grizzlies return 3 of their top 4 defencemen in Stefan Gonzales, Braxton Bilous and Nolan De Jong. All three defencemen are big and mobile with Bilous and De Jong having already accepted college scholarships to Merrimack and Cornell respectively, Gonzales is probably not far behind in seeing NCAA offers. Since arriving from Chilliwack in a trade the 19 year-old Gonzales has been a veteran steadying influence on the ice for the Grizzlies. Upon Gonzales arrival early in the season he was paired with the 16 year-old De Jong and it was at that point that the rookies game really took off and he showed why he is garnering interest for the 2013 NHL draft with his two-way game. Another defenseman with a solid two-way game gathering some attention from scouts is Bilous, after suffering through an injury riddled start to the season the 17 year old assistant captain has really stepped up his game since returning from injury in late January. The Grizzlies also will have 18 year-old Jaden Schmeisser returning next year. Signed out of junior “B” in December, the 6’2” Schmeisser is more of a stay at home defenceman and a punishing hitter who brings a big physical presence and an improving all-round game to the Grizzlies blueline. Big Jesse Ursic will try to return from a gruesome skate cut to his leg that ended his 2011-12 season early.

In net the Grizzlies have Garrett Rockafellow, before going down with a season ending knee injury in January the 18 year-old had wrestled the starting job from incumbent Jamie Tucker. Rockafellow needs to work on his consistency but when he is on top of his game he has shown the ability to steal games for his team. The Grizzlies will also have Nick Taylor coming back to compete for the back-up spot behind Rockafellow.

The Grizzlies also will have some new players coming in as the future considerations in trades involving Sean Robertson, Brad Gehl and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt, the Grizzlies could use one more impact forward to play with Murphy, one more top 4 defenceman and a veteran goalie to team up with Rockafellow. If they receive that in those deals there will not be many available roster spots to fill over the summer.
Watch out Westshore, the future for your Grizzlies is looking quite promising.

Coquitlam Express 7 Victoria Grizzlies 3 @ Bear Mountain Arena Mar 6,2012

The Grizzlies lost to the Coquitlam Express 7-3 on Tuesday night at the Bear Mountain Arena. The Grizzlies fell behind 1-0 early and the game would stay that way until 8:39 into the second period when high-scoring 17 year-old rookie Alex Kerfoot the first of his two goals on the night. The goal and a collision between Jaden Schmeisser and Clinton Atkinson touched off a lot of chirping between the benches and Cody Michelle of the Express got a 10 minute misconduct for what looked like a punch thrown at Grizz defenceman Jaden Schmeisser sitting on the Grizzlies bench. The Grizzlies would close to within one when on a set-up by rookies Myles Powell and Nolan de Jong, Alex Holland used a nice drag move and snapped a wrist-shot home to make it 2-1 for the Express. The Express scored 3 goals in the last five minutes of the second to take command of the game with a 5-1 lead heading into the third period. Both teams scored twice more in the third period with the first Grizzlies goal on a slapshot from the point by Jaden Schmeisser for his first career BCHL goal. Myles Powell and Mark McLellan drew the assists. Chase Kaiser in his return from injury finished the scoring for the Grizzlies when he picked the corner with a wrist-shot on assists from Cam Lawson and Braxton Bilous. The sounding of the final horn touch off more chirping between the teams with Brady Shaw and Schmeisser being separated by the linesmen and Stefan Gonzales restraining his teammate. Schmeisser has a previous history with both Atkinson and Shaw having fought them both earlier in the year and coming away with decisive victories. Neither player seemed to want much to do with Schmeisser unless there was an official standing between them.

Grizz thoughts: For the second straight game Mike Sandor was one of the best Grizzlies skaters and created good chances with his speed. Myles Powell picked up a pair of assists and was creating good chances for his teammates. Stefan Gonzales again had a few good chances to score his first as a Grizz but couldn’t quite convert them. Congratulations to Jaden Schmeisser for scoring his first BCHL goal.

Early Bird Specials on Season Tickets for the 2012/13 season

Jersey Draw for Season Ticket Holders

THIS YEAR THE JERSEY DRAW WILL BE FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS.

(I Believe on March 10th, 2012) 

All the season ticket holder's names, including our corporate and non-corporate season ticket holders will be put into a box and Scotty will draw at least 7 in each intermission. The winner has to be at the arena, and will be instructed to go to the souvenir desk , present their ID, and get an envelope with one of the players numbers ...in it. After the game is over you will be called onto the ice and as your envelope is opened, the player whose number you have will come to you and present his jersey! If a name is drawn and that person is not there to get their envelope, then Scotty will redraw another one until all 21 Jerseys are given out!

End of season Grizzlies Events

 Non - Perishable Food Night - Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

Starting at tomorrow night's game vs. Coquitlam and continuing on Friday and Saturday night the Grizzlies will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the food bank. If you would like to donate there will be a drop-off box beside the souvenir booth at the front entrance.

 

 

COME AND MEET AND TALK TO THE GRIZZLIES!

Saturday, March 10th, 2012 

Further to our Fan Appreciation day kick off at McDonalds restaurant at Colwood on Sat, March 10 where the entire team will be from 11am. Until 12 pm:

CFAX radio will be promoting this ahead of time from their mobile broadcast.

... There will be one hundred 2 for 1 tickets given to lucky fans that have come out to McDonalds to meet and chat with our Victoria Grizzlies and get autographs and souvenirs and prizes.

McDonalds will be giving out 100 two for one tickets to the first 100 drive through window customers with their orders after 11 am.

Souvenir copies of the Grizzlies Team Picture will be given to the kids (and maybe adults too if you are VERY good!) so that they can get their favourite player's autographs.

Victoria Grizzlies 2 - 12 Alberni Valley Bulldogs @ Weyerhauser Arena, March 3

Minus the injured Kevin Smith and Chase Kaiser, the Grizzlies where always going to be up against it in Port Alberni on Saturday night. With 14 skaters, including Campbell River Storm call up Max Crawford the Bulldogs would feast on the Grizzlies early and often.
Five unanswered goals in the first period, would set the tone for the game with Dogs forward, Ryan Lough chipping in with 3 points by himself in the first 20 minutes.
The Grizzlies would have a slight pulse at start of the 2nd when the hard working Alex Holland would make it 5-1. But after that it would be all Alberni in the next two periods.
The Bulldogs would score 7 more goals with Ryan Lough finishing the game with an incredible 7 points with Hunter Stewart, Evan Tironese and Josh Mitchell chipping in with 5 points each as the Bulldogs would hammer Victoria 12-2.
Myles Powell would add Victoria's 2nd goal midway through the 3rd period and his 5th on the season.
Goaltenders, Nick Taylor would saves 3 from 6 shots while Taylor Pears would keep 35 out of 44 shots.

Tough night, long bus ride home for the boys I'm sure and a message to any budding future Junior Hockey GM's, not to get too carried away at trade deadlines.

This game closed out the eight in the season series between the two clubs for 2011/12:

The  Alberni Bulldogs have won 5 games scoring 41 goals.
The Victoria Grizzlies have won 3 games scoring 21 goals.

Attendance - 1293   Shots on Goal - Victoria 33 and Alberni 50
Powerplays - Victoria 0 for 2 and Alberni 3 for 3

                                                        

Victoria Grizzlies 1 - 5 Surrey Eagles @ Bear Mountain Arena, March 2, 2012

So if you where a scout in the crowd on Friday night, you'd be hard pressed to tell which team was in first place and which team was in last in the Coastal Conference for the first two periods.
The Grizzlies weathered some initial pressure from the Eagle,s as the game turned into a neutral zone battle with some Cam Lawson trickery creating chances for the Grizzlies forwards.
But, whenever the Eagles broke down the ice, they have some quick skilled skaters who drive to the net often and effectively. After some good work from Eagles forward Mulcahy he released the impressive, hard skating Colton Mackie who drove to the net and powering his way by a Grizzlies defenceman to beat Nick Taylor for a 1-0 Surrey lead.
The Grizzlies would be dealt another blow as Kevin Smith, who has had some shoulder issue lately left the game in the middle of the first period. The Grizzlies who where also missing Chase Kaiser on the night who is till trying to rebound from an injury picked up a couple of weeks ago, would now be missing two important pieces of the puzzle. It would finish 1-0 visitors at the end of the first period.

The 2nd Period would start brightly for the Grizzlies with Alex Holland and Myles Powell putting some pressure on Eagles netminder Barrie.
Both teams would continue to battle throughout the 2nd and it would be the Grizzlies who would be rewarded as Coltyn Hansen would take off down the left wing, compose himself and score a beauty of a wrist shot into the top right hand corner of Barrie's net. We've all the seen Coltyn Hansen improve every game he's played this season with his puck handling and scoring starting to complement his speed and skill.
Nick Taylor would hold firm through out the 2nd as the Grizzlies defence had to be sharp to keep the Morley brothers, Mulcahy and Demico Hannoun at bay.

The 3rd Period would see some tired Grizzlies legs and the league leading Eagles start to take command. With Surrey rolling there lines nicely and really starting to show why they should be crowned Coastal Conference champs this season, would score two power play goals from Hannoun and from one of the better offence D-men in the BCHL in the last two years, Steve Koshey, to give Surrey a 3-1 lead.
The Grizzlies never gave up, but, became a little overwhelmed as the Eagles would start to pepper Nick Taylor's net. The Irish Assasin, Mulcahy would really bury the contest 3 minutes from the end as he would make it 4-1, courtesy of the Morley brothers. Ex-Clipper Brayden Jaw would add a fifth goal to give the Eagles a 5-1 victory on the night.

Grizzlies thoughts - The first two periods they really held their own and created chances putting Surrey under some pressure. Having lost Kaiser at start of the game and Kevin Smith in the 2nd, didn't help the cause though. However, it was another good team effort which ran out of steam in the third.
To add, it was another promising showing from Nick Taylor and also credit to D-man Jaden Schmeisser who gives his all out there, in all game situations every night. One thing about Schmeisser, you knock him down, he's getting right back up again; better hope he doesn't get your number.

Eagles Thoughts - In seven years of watching the BCHL, this Eagles team is talented, but, it's the most hard working Eagles team I've seen. They have depth, scoring punch, 3 capable lines, a good shut down unit and two good reliable goaltenders. Coach Matt Erhart is one of the best young coaches in the Junior ranks, who is a tactician and gets the best out of his players.
In my mind, they are the only team in the Coastal who could really give the Penticton Vees a run for their money in the BCHL championship game!!!!

3 Stars of the Games

1st * - Brett Mulcahy      2nd * -  Demico Hannoun      3rd * - Nick Taylor

Attendence - 682      Shots on Goal - Grizzlies 25 and Eagles 46 
Powerplays - Grizzlies 0 for 4 and Eagles 2 for 4



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This Upcoming Weekend

If last weekend proved one thing, it was that as well as the hard work and determination our team is known for, there is the talent to win games (providing there not too undermanned.)

Hard work and effort trumped Langley, last Friday night at the "Bear" and once again showed how well numerous players have adapted to more ice-time and greater responsibility. The Langley game had it all, it was physical, both teams battled for three periods, exciting plays and some well worked goals.

The Nanaimo game on Saturday was one of the better battles I've seen between the two teams in the last two seasons. Nanaimo, came into the Westshore last Saturday with the purpose of defeating the Grizzlies at all costs, to keep pace with a playoff spot. To the Clippers credit, they played hard, gutsy and got the win they needed. But, the Grizzlies battled them for three periods and frustrated Nanaimo and looked like they could have made it two home weekend wins, with Taylor pears giving the Grizzlies a chance with some great goaltending.

I'll sound like a broken record again here, but a Grizzlies team that has pretty well a full complement of defenseman and at least three forward lines will give any team in this league a game and can be capable of pulling a win out of the hat. Which is way the Coaching staff should have really taken a look at some of the consequences of shredding the roster as they did at the deadline, to leave the line up so shorthanded at times.

 So onto this weekend, which for the Grizzlies fans after seeing  last weekends effort, we should be in a for high octane match up against Surrey tonight. The Eagles are the league leaders and will be looking to pull out all the stops to win the Coastal Conference title and claim home ice advantage for the bulk of the playoffs. For me the Eagles have been the most complete team in the Coastal this season and have consistancy and depth throughout the line up. However, playing the Grizzlies these days can be a bit like a war of attrition. The Grizzlies will make the Eagles work for it and if we see the same effort as last weekend........we just might see an upset!!!!!

See you at the "Bear"!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday night, the Grizzlies will make their last bus ride of the season as they play the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Port Alberni, on Saturday night. With this being the last road game of the season, the boys play 4 of the last 5 games at home. The Grizzlies have found the going tough playing at the Weyerhauser arena this season, but, can always relay on the 7th man in the form of the usual healthy Victoria travelling support.