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Spruce Kings Lose 7th Straight to Grizzlies

The Victoria Grizzlies seem to have the Spruce Kings number. The last time PG picked up a win against the province’s capital was on November 13th 2012. Victoria made it seven straight wins against the Spruce Kings Friday night with a 4-1 win in Prince George.

After losing 3-2 the night before to Chilliwack despite outshooting them 48-21 and earning five power plays to the Chiefs four it was a similar stat line against Victoria. Matthew Galajda stopped 38 of 39 shots, and the Grizzlies were outshot 39-29, and has three power plays while Prince George had five.

The first period was a tight knit battle, with PG squeaking out a 9-8 shot lead. The Grizzlies nearly scored 13 minutes in as the puck got behind Grant, but the defense came to the rescue sweeping the puck off the goal line. With 19 seconds left in the frame though, it was Victoria scoring the all important first goal of the game. Yale commit Tyler Welsh took a back door feed from Cole Pickup, and the Whistler boy scored his team leading 16th of the season.

7:18 into the second it was Welsh scoring his second of the night, picking up a rebound. The forward rolled behind the net, and Friedmann took a shot that popped out to the far side where Welsh was there to beat Tavin Grant who was playing in his seventh consecutive game.

Prince George would reply in the third, as their power play was finally able to convert. On a play that saw Adam Burnett score twice last weekend, this time it was Tyler Anderson burying his 9th of the season. Brett Mennear won the draw back from the right faceoff circle, and Ethan de Jong swept the puck over for Anderson who beat Galajda glove side 13:43 in.

The celebration didn’t last long with Cole Pickup scoring on a breakaway. Down alone, the forward went five hole on Grant and caught the goalie standing. Prince George pushed looking to get back within one down 3-1, but Anderson took a late spearing penalty was was set to put PG on the kill for the remainder of the game. At the 18:40 mark, Jamie Rome was able to walk in from the left faceoff circle, and found twine sealing the game at 4-1.

Quick Facts: Prince George outshot Victoria 39-29 … The Spruce Kings were 1 for 5 on the PP while the Grizzlies were 1 for 3 … Tavin Grant stopped 25 of 29 shots / Matthew Galajda stopped 38 of 39 … Tyler Anderson scored his 9th goal of the season which puts him first in scoring amongst BCHL defensemen