Coquitlam, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies fell 4-3 in shootouts to the Coquitlam Express on Saturday night to clinch home ice and a meeting with the Express in the first round beginning Friday night at the Q Centre.
Victoria jumped ahead in the first round by way of Alex Hebblethwaite (19th) but the Express would tie things up just past the eight minute mark off the stick of Carson McGilney.
In the second period, the Express scored twice in the first eight minutes to lead after 40 3-1. Those goals were off the sticks of Nolan Flynn and Konray Bozkaya.
In the third period Victoria came out and got within one in the first minute when Reegan Hiscock (27th) snapped one home on the power play. They would tie the game at 8:11 thanks to Malcolm Green (9th) finishing off a three way with Alex Hebblethwaite and Landon Mackie.
Coquitlam would have an overtime powerplay but failed to score however it was Cam Russo netting the game winner in the shootout in the seventh round.
That win meant that Coquitlam jumped the Nanaimo Clippers for fifth place in the conference while Victoria held their fourth spot in the conference setting up a meeting between the two in the first round of the 2025 Fred Page Cup Playoffs.
Victoria will host Coquitlam in game one and two on Friday and Saturday from the Q Centre with tickets going on sale on Tuesday.
