A 4-2 victory in Vernon on Friday night left the Victoria Grizzlies one step away from clinching the B.C. Hockey League's Island Division crown.
The Grizzlies (36-11-3-4) built a 3-0 lead after one period and added an empty net goal in the third after the Vipers scored twice in the final frame to make it close.
The second-place Powell River Kings (36-18-1-0) downed Nanaimo 5-1 last night to keep pace with the Grizzlies. Sitting six points behind with only three games remaining – the Grizzlies have four left – the Kings must win out to have any chance at topping the division.
The Grizzlies play the middle game of their three-game Interior road swing tonight in West Kelowna against the Warriors, who lost 7-2 in Colwood back on Jan. 27. Victoria rounds out the trip with a Sunday matinee in Penticton.
Timothy Friedmann, with his 15th of the season, Cody Van Lierop (4), Keyvan Mokhtari (19) and Nathan Looysen (19) scored in the Friday win. Matthew Galajda kicked out 35 shots in goal for the Grizzlies, who were outshot 37-26.
Ryan Brushette and Brett Staley tallied for the Vipers, who are confirmed to finish second in the Interior Division behind runaway leader Penticton.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com