Happy 19th Birthday Cam Lawson

Big Happy Birthday, to Cam Lawson who turns 19 today. The hard working grinder, has had a productive season in Grizzlies colours and his effort and consistency hasn't gone unnoticed this season.
Lawson, will be relayed upon to be a leader on this team in the last 19 games!!!!

A Great birthday to Cam and family from the Grizz Roar Blog, hope you have a beer or two!!!!

Victoria Grizzlies 2 - 10 Powell River Kings@ Bear Mountain Arena, Jan 15, 2011

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.

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

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.

Kevin Woodyatt update

Nice to see Kevin Woodyatt has picked up with the VIJHL's Kerry Park Islanders, after his release by the Grizzlies at the trade deadline. The 19 year old, Arizona native should really help KPI's push in the VIJHL stretch run. The Islanders have been one of the most successful Junior B franchises on the Island in recent years and all the best to Kevin in Mill Bay.

Victoria Grizzlies 3 - 12 Surrey Eagles @ Bear Mtn Arena, Jan 15, 2012

Well tonight's blog article isn't going to be a review of the goals scored or who scored them.
The score was rough, the Eagles where merciless and it may well have been a record defeat on home ice for the Grizzlies.
The team as it stands, is undermanned and is trying to find it's way from the recent roster upheaval just days earlier. There where moans and groans from a few fans as Surrey ran up the score,but, watching this Grizzlies team despite this lopsided defeat, they didn't quit and there heads didn't go down.Victoria, played with energy and determination in all three periods.
There was something about each player in a Grizzlies uniform tonight.....they played like they wanted it. I know that might seem a little strange after being over matched by the Eagles,but, a number of fans commented on the determination.
Now determination alone, won't always win you hockey games, but, it showed that the players on the roster want to keep playing for this season and show that they can be a part of what is being billed as a strong Grizzlies team, for the 2012/13 season.
We will have to get used to numerous AP's being on the ice for the reminder of the season and the AP's tonight, McBride, Chown,  Biagoni, Krupa and Lilles did there best to pitch in.
Kevin Smith, looked at times as to why he spent 4 yrs in Major Junior and did his best to marshall the Grizzlies on the ice tonight. Although, Rockafellow and Taylor do need to keep the damage down as goaltending was shaky tonight. Jesse Ursic, in what looked like a nasty cut is gone for the season after limping of the ice in the third period. This puts the Grizzlies another man down on an already sparse roster.
Without making excuses, the guys will need a little time with the coaching staff to get into routines and get used to new line mates. This will take a little while, maybe a couple of weeks to really gel.

So, Powell River rolls into town tomorrow afternoon. Kent Lewis, I'm sure will show our depleted Grizzlies line up no mercy. His team plays a solid, disciplined game and are always defensively sound. They are one of the BCHL's best teams and the Grizzlies will have a mammoth task to knock off the Kings.
But, if the Grizzlies can show the same energy and determination, they've nothing to lose................... go get em boys.

We've all heard the story of Sparta's 300 soldiers taking on the bulk of the Persian army.
(Please see pic below)

THIS IS VICTORIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upcoming Grizzlies Home Games

Come cheer on the new look Grizzlies this weekend, as they tackle two tough Coastal Conference foes, in the Surrey Eagles on Saturday night and the Powell River Kings on Sunday afternoon.

Victoria Grizzlies v's the Surrey Eagles at 7:15pm, Saturday, Jan 14th at the Bear Mtn Arena.

Victoria Grizzlies v's the Powell River Kings at 1pm, Sunday, Jan 15th at the Bear Mtn Arena.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs 6-3 Victoria Grizzlies @ Weyerhauser Arena, Jan 13, 2012

Pregame Thoughts: When Scott Didmon was announcing the Grizzlies line up in the pregame show in Port Alberni, you couldn't help but smile a little as to how the Victoria roster has now shaped up.
The Grizzlies played with nearly 3 lines up front (Ursic and Bilious sharing time on the 3rd line and on defence) and 4 defencemen. Included in that line up was two AP's in Ellison and McBride. So from a possible line up of 20 players (12 forwards, 6 D-men and 2 goalies) the Grizzlies were a little short on manpower with 16 players. Given that Myron(long term), Lawson and Walchuk are injured, it isn't a perfect situation right now.
But, despite the challenges this roster faces tonight and indeed for the rest of the season , I do share Scott Didmon's excitement in what opportunity it gives guys like Kaiser, Holland, Hansen, Sandor, Gonzales and the younger players, with all the minutes and ice time they'll now be getting.
It's a great chance to show what some of these players can do on the top two lines and a lot more involvement on special teams. For the players left on the roster, it's there time to show what they can do this season and more importantly for next season.

Grizzlies new D-man Kevin Smith

The game itself: Didn't get off to the best of starts for the Grizzlies as a little penalty trouble and an aggressive fore-checking Bulldogs line up, would get the jump on the yellow/black with 3 goals in four minutes from Adams, Stewart(PP) and A.Kalashnikov. Not the start the boys where looking for,but, all things considered with all the changes, we always knew it would take time to adjust to the changes.
With the Grizz down 3-0 going in at the start of the 2nd period, Victoria would settle down a bit and would start to get some pucks on net. The Hansen, Powell and Holland line started to get going and with Chase Kaiser being his usually, pitbull self, the Grizzlies started to compete and match Alberni's work rate. However, it would be the Dogs, who would keep scoring as Ryan Lough would beat Rockafellow again on the 8 minute mark of the middle frame. But, the Grizzlies would keep the work rate up and would be rewarded with a PP, as leading Grizzlies scorer(healthy)Alex Holland would make it 4-1, with Hansen picking up the assist.

 

With former Kelowna Rocket, Kevin Smith's veteran leadership on the ice the Grizzlies would keep coming at the Dogs and Mike Sandor scored 5 minutes into the third, with helpers from newly acquired Mark McLellan and Schmeisser. The Grizzlies revival would prove to be short lived as two quick goals from Dorias and A.Kalashnikov would put it out of reach at 6-2. At that point, Rockafellow would be pulled for new back up Nick Taylor, who got his feet wet by stopping all 5 shots he faced in the third.
The Grizzlies would score a consolation goal from Chase Kasier on the powerplay with Kevin Smith's first BCHL assist and also a helper from wonderkid Nolan Dejong.
The game would finish with the Bulldogs running out 6-3 winners on the night.

Grizzlies Thoughts: Although the scoreline comes across as the Grizzlies being comfortably beaten, the broadcast did give us the indication that this team will battle and work hard. On a sour note, Braxton Bilious, did pick up a knock which forced him to leave the game.
I don't think anyone is talking playoffs, but, I honestly think it's going to be a fun end tot he season cheering on boys that are still with us. Victoria, in the last 20 games will certainly be in the role of underdog/spoiler, however, this is still out team and although the last place, playoff gap is now at 12 points.....................dare to dream people!!!!!
   
Attendence - 1143      Shots on Goal - Bulldogs 38 and Grizzlies 34
Powerplays - Bulldogs 1 for 3 and Grizzlies 2 for 5

Alberni Valley Bulldogs v Victoria Grizzlies @ Weyerhauser Arena, Jan 13, 2012

                                 

The new look Grizzlies take to the ice tonight to tackle the Bulldogs in Port Alberni tonight at 7pm. What is sure to be an interesting game for the sheer fact of all the changes that have occured in the last few days.

Mark McLellan and Kevin Smith(potentially) will make there Grizzlies debuts tonight.
Although the team has lost a lot of it's star power, this is a great opportunity for the guys on the team to show what they can do. More ice time, the opportunity to play some first line minutes and to audition for what has the potential to be a powerful Grizzlies team for next season!!!

The Grizzlies are 10 points out of a playoff spot,but, you know what....go for it, it's not impossible!!!!