A red-hot power play allowed the Victoria Grizzlies to take care of business on two fronts Saturday night at The Q Centre.
Owen Bohn’s power-play goal with 4:22 left in the first period made it rain stuffed animals on what was Teddy Bear Toss night, and then Jack Gorton struck two minutes later on another man advantage to help lead the Grizzlies to a 3-0 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, giving Victoria it’s fourth straight win.
And lost amongst the flying bears was yet another shutout for Grizzlies rookie netminder Oliver Auyeung-Ashton. The 17-year-old from Coquitlam made 34 saves to record his third straight shutout — and fifth of the season — and he has now not allowed a goal in 206 consecutive minutes. Auyeung-Ashton also lowered is stingy goals-against average, which was second best in the league at 1.93 coming into Saturday night’s play. He also improved his record to 9-6-1 and his league-best save-percentage wich was .941 heading into Saturday night.
Luc Pelletier finished off a nice feed from blue-liner Hoyt Stanley midway through the third period to round out the Victoria scoring.
The Grizzlies improved their season record to 11-10-1-2, while the Silverbacks, who are in Cowichan Valley this afternoon to face the Capitals, fall to 13-9-1-1.
The Grizzlies now hit the road for three games beginning Friday night in Coquitlam against the Express. That’s followed by games Saturday in Chilliwack against the Chiefs and Sunday in Langley against the Rivermen. The Grizzlies next home game is Dec. 17 when the Powell River Kings pay a visit to The Q Centre.
