April 12, 2024 Victoria, BC ( ISN ) – The Victoria Grizzlies shut out the Nanaimo Clippers 3-0 Friday night to advance to the second-round of the BCHL playoffs after closing out their round one, seven-game series 4-1 in front of 1570 fans at the Q-Centre in Colwood, BC.
The Grizzlies were firing on all cylinders Friday night, peppering starting Nanaimo goalie Chazz Nixon 47-23 shots on goal. Grizzlies net-minder Oliver Auyeung-Ashton would earn the shut-out win and the third star of the game for his efforts.
Both teams would play the first period scoreless, before the Grizzlies’ Charlie Gollob would score his first of the series in the second frame on a seemingly harmless wrister to fool Clippers’ Nixon. Ryan Watt would also find the back of the net with the Grizzlies 2nd goal in the period to hold a relatively comfortable lead. Julian Cull would seal any though of a comeback victory for Nanaimo, recording his one goal on the night with an empty-netter to but the game to sink any Clipper aspirations at a comeback.
Grizzlies’ Charlie Gollob and Ryan Watt would get the nod for first and second stars respectively.
The Victoria Grizzlies will now take on the Chillwack Chiefs in the next round of the BCHL Playoffs.
Game one – time and date TBA at time of publishing.
