The Alberni Valley Bulldogs didn't wait long to take control of Friday's game in Victoria, scoring three goals in the first 14 minutes of regulation en route to a 4-2 win at the Bear Mountain Arena.
Warren Muir opened the scoring for the Bulldogs at the 7:55 mark of the first period, and Kevin Ross followed just over a minute later to double the lead. Jesse Halikas and Jimmy Carter then traded goals to close out the frame.
After a scoreless second period, Alberni Valley's Johnny Rogic put the game out of reach with an unassisted shorthanded tally midway through the third. Brad Pawlowski scored the Grizzlies' second goal at the 15:07 mark, but the Bulldogs shut the door from there.
Frank Slubowski was solid in net for the visitors, stopping 27 of 29 shots for the win. Grizzlies starter Richie Virtanen allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period before making way for Colin Fernandes, who stopped 22 or 23 the rest of the way.
Ross, Trent Dorais and Carter were named the game's three stars.
Victoria remains at Bear Mountain on Saturday for a visit from the Powell River Kings, while Alberni Valley returns home to host the Coastal Conference-leading Surrey Eagles.
