The Victoria Grizzlies' results of late are not for the faint of heart.
The Colwood-based squad dropped their seventh straight B.C. Hockey League game, losing a Valentine's Day matinee today 4-1 to the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs at The Q Centre.
It was the third same-score result in a row for the Grizzlies (21-27-4-0), who play Cowichan Valley in Duncan on Tuesday and are desperately trying to hold off the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the final Island Division playoff spot with six games left in the regular season. The Bulldogs (20-27-3-3) pulled into a tie with Victoria for fourth with a 7-2 win over Merritt in Port Alberni on Sunday.
P.J. Conlon converted a passing play from defencemen Chuck Bennis and Kevin Massy with 1:31 to go in the opening frame against the Mainland Division-leading Chiefs, but gave up the tying goal just 25 seconds later when Jake Smith hit a big hole to Grizzlies goalie Matthew Galajda's right.
Taylor Allan, in the second, and Jordan Kawaguchi in the third, made it 3-1 before Jesse Lansdell threw the puck into an empty net in the final minute.
Saturday's game in Colwood saw the Centennials break open a scoreless game with two goals in the first 2:54 of the second period. Brett Stirling pulled the locals to within a goal at the 17:07 mark of the frame, but they could get no closer, as Merritt added two more goals in the third.
Things don't get any easier for the Grizzlies, who embark on a three-game road trip this weekend, with games in Wenatchee on Friday, Penticton on Saturday and Langley on Sunday. They return home to host the Powell River Kings next Friday (Feb. 26).
Salsa shirts bad luck? … With February being throwback month, the Grizzlies have been wearing the old Victoria Salsa jerseys since their Feb. 4 game against Penticton. The Grizzlies have yet to win in five games wearing the retro shirts.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com