Grizzlies Take Season Opener but Suffer Bigger Loss
The Victoria Grizzlies opened up their 2009-10 seasons in Nanaimo this past Friday against former teammate Cody Bremner and the Clippers. Nearly 1,800 fans saw an exciting early season game, as the Grizzlies eventually took it by a 5-4 margin.
Joel Lowry had two goals for the Grizzlies including the game tying marker in the third, which set up Dylan Novakowsk's game winning goal with less than four minutes left in the game. Greg Simpson and Brad Pawlowski also scored for Victoria.
Cody Bremner made an impact in more in one way during the game, as along with scoring a hat-trick, he was also involved in a hit which broke Victoria assistant captain Sean Robertson's right femur. The hit was in no way malicious, but caused play to be suspended while medics attended to Robertson.
Grizzlies’ owner Len Barrie displayed commitment to his team, as he stayed with the 18 year old until his surgery at 3 am in Nanaimo. Robertson has remained in hospital following surgery, but has stayed in close communication with both Barrie and Grizzlies head coach Victor Gervais.
Everyone at VSO wishes Robertson as speedy recovery and hopes he will once again return to the ice and continue his hockey dream.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies moved on to play the Kings in Powell River on Saturday night, losing a close 1-0 game. The team performed reasonably well considering the physical draining game just the night before, not to mention the mentally draining aspect of the loss of their teammate.
Victoria goalie Richie Virtanen performed great with a 48 save performance but garnered an undeserving loss on the stat column.
The Grizzlies will now return to the Island as they take on the Bulldogs of Alberni on Friday, before the team will host their home opener in a re-match against Nanaimo on Saturday.
