Despite a rough start to the B.C. Hockey League season, the Victoria Grizzlies arenB次元官网网址檛 pushing any panic buttons.

As they start a three-games-in-three-nights stretch, the Grizzlies are relishing the opportunity to improve their record.

TonightB次元官网网址檚 home game against Alberni Valley, Friday's contest in Duncan against the Cowichan Valley Capitals and SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 game back at The Q Centre against the Surrey Eagles give the team a chance to get back into the thick of things in the BCHLB次元官网网址檚 Island Division, team captain P.J. Conlon said earlier this week.

B次元官网网址淪ome people might look at that as a tough schedule, but the guys in the room are looking at that as an opportunity to get things back on track here,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a confident group and I think youB次元官网网址檙e going to see that this weekend.B次元官网网址�

Having just one win in eight starts heading into tonight's game and averaging less than two goals scored per game, the Grizzlies have worked on some specifics, Conlon said.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of the games early on weB次元官网网址檝e found that weB次元官网网址檝e been getting a lot of chances, but we havenB次元官网网址檛 necessarily been scoring on them. So our focus in practice this week has been bearing down in those opportune moments and trying to make sure weB次元官网网址檙e stronger around the net and finishing all the pucks we can.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 not as if the Grizzlies are getting blown out. Of their six losses, only two have been by more than two goals, and one of those, SundayB次元官网网址檚 4-1 loss to Vernon, saw the visitors score an empty netter at the end.

B次元官网网址淥ur goalies have given us a chance in every game,B次元官网网址� Conlon said of Mitchel Benson and Michael Galajda.

B次元官网网址淎nytime you can have two rookies come into the league and battle as hard as they have in net; theyB次元官网网址檝e kept us in some games where maybe we struggled a bit at times; that radiates a lot of confidence within the dressing room and gives us a lot of hope moving forward. So if we can finish off some opportunities and along with some strong goaltending, weB次元官网网址檙e going to start winning some games.B次元官网网址�

Through eight games, Benson had better numbers, going 1-2 with a 2.50 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Galajda was still looking for his first win after five starts, having posted a 3.58 average and .883 saves mark.

Alternate captain Cole Pickup, like Conlon one of the key veterans on the team, agreed that goaltending hasnB次元官网网址檛 been an issue for the Grizzlies, but maintaining focus and working hard every shift has tended to be a challenge at times.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like weB次元官网网址檙e getting dominated five-on-five B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 just that weB次元官网网址檒l lose a battle and then one mistake costs us a goal,B次元官网网址� he said.

In SundayB次元官网网址檚 4-1 home loss to Vernon, the Vipers turned their game up a notch in the third period, breaking open a 1-1 game with a big play and keeping the pressure on until the end.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just playing a full 60-minute game and making sure weB次元官网网址檙e doing our job when weB次元官网网址檙e out there,B次元官网网址� Pickup said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little battle in the corner, or chipping the puck in at the blueline, it could be anything.B次元官网网址�

ThereB次元官网网址檚 definitely been some bright spots. As Pickup pointed out, the GrizzliesB次元官网网址� penalty killing is in the top half of the league. Offensively Nick Guiney is emerging as a scoring threat and newcomer Brayden Gelsinger has been steady, leading the club with more than a point per game. And Pickup, a buzzbomb in the offensive zone, and steady defenceman Kevin Massy, quarterbacking from the point, are both making regular contributions to the attack.

Pickup, whoB次元官网网址檚 played on teams without good chemistry, said a positive sign is that everyone is sticking together on and off the ice.

Conlon added that the older players try to support younger teammates as much as possible.

B次元官网网址淚 think most importantly we have to show up every day and work as hard as we can and set a strong example on the ice,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he veterans really believe in the group that coach (Craig) Didmon has assembled here and itB次元官网网址檚 just about coming together as a group and trying to turn around some of these close results.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com

Grizzlies at home

B次元官网网址� Oct. 10: vs. Surrey Eagles, 7 p.m., The Q Centre

B次元官网网址� Oct. 16: vs. Powell River, 7 p.m.

B次元官网网址� Oct. 18: vs. Cowichan Valley, 2 p.m.