ItB次元官网网址檚 all laughs now, but a month ago the Victoria GrizzliesB次元官网网址 dressing room wasnB次元官网网址檛 a place for happy banter.
The Grizzlies (9-8) are on the road this weekend for another three-games-in-three-nights against conference opponents: tonight (Nov. 4) versus the Surrey Eagles (8-4-2), Saturday at the Langley Rivermen (5-10) and Sunday at the Coquitlam Express (5-6-2).
The Grizzlies may have slowed down a notch, losing to the Naniamo Cilppers 7-3 on Tuesday, but VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 BCHL team is still on a roll with nine wins in the past 12 games.
ItB次元官网网址檒l take more than a hangup with a rival team to shake the Grizzlies, said coach Len Barrie.
The players are now able to talk about their five-game winless streak to start the season as a blip thatB次元官网网址檚 completely behind them.
B次元官网网址淚t was tough coming to the rink (to start) but the team keeps coming together,B次元官网网址 captain Sean Robertson said.
B次元官网网址淲e just canB次元官网网址檛 get too high.B次元官网网址
Robertson is in his fifth and final year of junior A hockey, having started full time as a 16-year-old in 2007-08.
At 0-5 to start the season, Barrie and general manager Vic Gervais admit there were trade offers for Robertson. Neither the coaches or the captain were interested.
B次元官网网址淭here were options but (Robertson) told me he wanted to stay. HeB次元官网网址檚 one of the reasons we got this turned around,B次元官网网址 Barrie said.
B次元官网网址淭he goaltending wasnB次元官网网址檛 there to start the year but our guys are competing hard and thatB次元官网网址檚 one of the biggest differences right now.B次元官网网址
Barrie also pointed to FridayB次元官网网址檚 3-2 loss in Nanaimo as his teamB次元官网网址檚 best game of the year, leading to a 5-2 win on Saturday over the Express and a 2-0 win over the Rivermen at home on Sunday.
Boston bite another Grizz
Following his tour of NCAA schools last week, Grizzlies forward Wes Myron committed to the Boston University Terriers for next season.
Myron received a full ride scholarship from Boston, one of 13 schools that made him offers.
HeB次元官网网址檒l join Massachusetts import Mike Moran, whoB次元官网网址檚 also headed there in 2012, and ex-Grizzlies forward Justin Courtnall, now a third-year player and assistant captain with the Terriers.
It was also announced this week that Myron made Team Canada West for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge, Nov. 7 to 13 in Langley.
Myron is a late addition and was not invited to the summer selection camp. He potted two goals in an exhibition game on Monday and an assist on Tuesday.
Future rock
Backup goalie Garrett Rockafellow made 34 saves for the shutout over the Rivermen, just his second win in eight games this season.
B次元官网网址淓verything clicked that game,B次元官网网址 he said.
Despite Jamie Tucker owning the starting role, Rockafellow has seen plenty of minutes to start the season, and Barrie is happy with the 18-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 progress so far.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 our guy for next year, weB次元官网网址檙e expecting him to be the starter and earn a Div.1 scholarship.B次元官网网址