As the B.C. Hockey League regular season nears its end, the Victoria Grizzlies are cranking their game up.
The Grizzlies (34-13-3-3), winners of six in a row heading into this Friday’s (Feb. 21) home game against Alberni Valley, regained the overall lead in the BCHL standings with a perfect 3-0 weekend.
The latest Victoria victory came Sunday in Surrey, where the Grizzlies built period leads of 1-0 and 2-1 en route to a 5-2 win.
Cole Pickup, Garrett Forster and Jay Mackie, with an empty net goal, scored in the third period for the winners, who were outshot 12-10 in the frame. Jacob Kearley and Myles Fitzgerald bagged the other Grizzlies goals, while Alec Dillon turned aside 29 of 31 shots for the win in net.
Victoria chalked up a pair of wins in the Okanagan to open the weekend, beating West Kelowna 8-5 on Friday and Penticton 3-1 Saturday.
Jesse Schwartz and Myles Fitzgerald led the attack with two goals each against the Warriors on Friday.
Fitzgerald added two goals and assisted on brother Leo’s third-period goal against the Vees.
With nine games remaining on the schedule, the Grizzlies are the hottest team in the league. They hope to extend their streak against the Bulldogs on Friday (7:15 p.m.) at 100.3 The Q Centre (formerly Bear Mountain Arena) and in Port Alberni on Saturday. Victoria hosts Surrey for a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.