The Victoria Grizzlies had a few new faces in the lineup on Friday night against the Surrey Eagles, but it was some familiar ones that paved the way to a key 4-1 victory over the defending B.C. Hockey League champions at The Q Centre.
Forwards Finn Kalley and Ryan Watt and defencemen Daniel D’Alessandro and Drew Hockley all had goals as the Grizzlies improved to 6-4-1-0 on the season and halted their three-game losing streak.
With the injury bug hitting the Grizzlies hard with Julian Cull, Tobias Pitka and Jacksenn Hungle all out, the Grizzlies added forwards Seamus Latta from the USHL and Alex Hebblethwaite from the Nanaimo Clippers this week.
Kallay got things started for the Grizzlies scoring his first BCHL goal 16 minutes into the opening period. The Eagles (6-6-0-0), who knocked the Grizzlies out of the playoffs last season in the conference quarter-finals, drew even two minutes later when Gavin Rocha struck on a two-on-one.
Victoria took control in the middle period with D’Allesandro and Hockley scoring two minutes apart early in the frame. Watt rounded out the scoring in the third period. Hockley, NCAA committed to Quinnipiac University, finished with a goal and an assist to bring his team-leading point total to 17.
Victoria also welcomed back veteran netminder Oliver Auyeung-Ashton after the 2023 BCHL rookie of the year who is NCAA commmitted to Colgate, was injured in the second game of the season. Auyeung-Ashton made 22 saves to pick up his second win of the season. Colton Jugnauth made 31 saves in the Eagles’ net.
The Grizzlies are back at it tonight, hosting the Langley Rivermen in a 5 p.m. start at The Q Centre. The Rivermen lost 3-2 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday night in Port Alberni.
