BCHL

Grizzlies maul the Chiefs

Written by BCHLNetwork Staff on

After clinching a spot in the BCHL post-season earlier this week, the Victoria Grizzlies looked to start off their 3-game road trip with a bang against the Chilliwack Chiefs. They did not disappoint.

After killing off an early slashing penalty to Henri Schreifels, the Grizzlies got on the board first thanks to Cody Monds’ 21st of the season. Alex DiPaolo drew the lone assist on the play. Despite Victoria getting on the board first, it was the Chiefs who carried the play for most of the opening period, out shooting the Grizzlies 12-7.

The Grizz went into the second period with a purpose as they dominated play during the middle frame. After killing off another slashing penalty, the Grizzlies added an insurance marker to extend their lead to 2-0 at 11:09 of the second period. DiPaolo notched his 13th goal of the season with Monds and Vincent Nardone drawing the assists.

The Chiefs took three consecutive penalties to close out the second period which allowed the Grizzlies to gain momentum and take over the game. The Grizzlies finished the period out shooting the Chiefs 12-6.

Victoria would once again come out strong in the third period as Andrew Amousse put home his ninth goal of the season to put the Grizzlies up 3-0. Brady MacDonald drew a helper on the goal. Just a few minutes later the Grizzlies would further add to their lead as Brendan Bowie notched his second goal of the season to put the game out of reach for Chilliwack.

Chiefs forward Nikita Nesterenko took a slashing penalty at 8:29 of the third period to once again put his team down a man. It was a great opportunity for Victoria to pad its lead, but it was Chiefs forward Nicholas Cherkowski who got a shorthanded breakaway opportunity. Grizzlies goaltender Liam Soulière made the initial save, but Cherkowski buried his own rebound to break the shutout bid.

The Chiefs finished the game out shooting the Grizzlies 31-30, but Victoria got the last laugh, pocketing two huge points on the road with a 4-1 win.

The Grizzlies have now won four straight and look to extend their win streak to five games on Saturday night as they get ready to take on the best team in the BCHL with a visit to Coquitlam to face the Express. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm at Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.