The Grizzlies extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-2 victory over the Coquitlam Express on Saturday.
Brian Drewry
VICTORIA 6 – COQUITLAM 2
The Victoria Grizzlies helped themselves on the ice and helped a worthy charity off the ice Saturday night at The Q Centre.
The Grizzlies, in front of 1,380 fans — the maximum allowed under COVID restrictions — extended their win streak to four games with a 6-2 victory over the Coquitlam Express on Help Fill a Dream Night at The Q.
While the fans were taking part in silent autions and special chuck-a-puck and 50/50 events to raise funds for the charity, the Grizzlies’ offence stayed in high gear with leading scorer Matthew Wood collecting his B.C. Hockey League-leading 32nd goal of the season helping Victoria improve to 23-17 on the season.
Sporting third jerseys designed by Grizzlies forward Jackson Morehouse that were auctioned off after the game, the Grizzlies fell behind 1-0 five minutes into the game.
But Andrew Amousse got that back 45 seconds later to start a run of four straight Grizzlies goals courtesy Ellis Rickwood, Wood and Jack Gorton.
Tyler Kopff got one back with six minutes left in the third to cut the Grizzlies lead to 4-2, but blue-liners Eli Barnett and Justin Gibson scored 41 seconds apart with three minutes left to send the fans home happy.
Grizzlies rookie Kyle Kelsey made 33 saves to earn his 10th win of the season.
The 16-year-old Wood, touted for the 2023 NHL draft, finished with a goal and two assists to push his season point total to 62, three points back of BCHL leadings scorer Simon Tassy of Salmon Arm.
LOOSE PUCKS: The auctioned-off jerseys raised $7,709 for the Help Fill a Dream Foundation… . Next up for the Grizzlies is a home date next Friday when the Alberni Valley Bulldogs pay a visit to The Q Centre.
bdrewry@timescolonist.com
