The Victoria Grizzlies hung with the Vernon Vipers for the majority of Sunday’s B.C. Hockey League game in Colwood, but got snakebit in the third to lose 4-1.
The Vipers’ Riley Brandt was sprung with a long lead pass midway through the final period and scored the eventual winner. A nifty three-way passing play and resulting goal by Liam Finlay made it 3-1 with about three minutes to go before an empty net shorthanded goal iced the game.
Nick Guiney opened scoring in the first for the Grizzlies with his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Goalie Matthew Galajda was strong in net, stopping 29 of 32 shots, including 16 in the second period alone.
The loss was the Grizzlies’ third in a row and leaves them tied for last place in the BCHL with a 1-6-1-0 record. They’ll be looking to turn things around when they host Alberni Valley Buldogs on Thursday night (7 p.m. start) at The Q Centre.
The host Bulldogs spoiled a two-goal effort by Guiney on Friday with a 4-2 win.
The Grizzlies gave their fans late thrills in Thursday’s home opener, only to lose 5-4 in overtime to Coquitlam. Down 4-2 in the third, the Grizzlies’ Corey Iapalucci made it 4-3 with 1:20 to play, then Chuck Bennis tied it up with one second remaining.
Guiney and Jake Stevens also scored for Victoria.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com