The Victoria Grizzlies left their gracious hosting of the Red Bull Salzburg under-18 hockey team back at Bear Mountain, beating the visiting squad 3-1 on the ice Wednesday night at The Q Centre.
The exhibition game against the touring Austrian side helped the Grizzlies stay sharp during a rare light point in their B.C. Hockey League schedule that has seen them play just twice since Jan. 15.
Mitchell Barker opened the scoring midway through the first period, but Red Bull's Phillip Lindner tied it up with just eight minutes to go in the second.
Nick Guiney restored the lead for the Grizzlies with about a minute to play in the period, a goal that gave the locals a boost heading into the final frame.
Cole Pickup made it a two-goal game with a shorthanded tally 3:08 into the third and Victoria outshot Red Bull 13-6 in the period to end the game tied at 30 with the visitors.
The Grizzlies, who joined the Red Bull players for a welcome luncheon at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa earlier in the day, now prepare for a key Island Division matchup tomorrow (Jan. 29) against the Clippers in Nanaimo.
Victoria's busy weekend continues Saturday at The Q Centre as they host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for a 7 p.m. game, then the Clippers are in town Sunday for a matinee game at 2 p.m. in Colwood.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com