The Victoria Grizzlies will open their home schedule at The Q Centre tonight, buoyed by a 2-0 start to the B.C. Hockey League season and consecutive 3-1 road wins in Duncan and Port Alberni.
Home-opener energy and early form
General manager and head coach Geoff Grimwood said there’s a distinct flavour to a season’s first home game — an occasion usually reserved for baseball, but no less special on the ice. The Grizzlies’ early results, and the feel of a fresh campaign, leave room for optimism.
“There’s a different feel to your first home game,” said Victoria Grizzlies GM and head coach Geoff Grimwood.
Victoria opened the season with two 3-1 victories on the road — first against the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan and then the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Port Alberni. The wins put the Grizzlies at 2-0, while their upcoming opponents, the Surrey Eagles, enter with a 1-1 record.
Defence, discipline and goaltending
Past Grizzlies teams have at times undone themselves by spending too much time in the penalty box. Early this season, a noticeable drop in penalties and a successful penalty kill — four of five opponent power plays denied through the first two games — are positive signs.
Grimwood credited both the club’s rebuilt defensive corps and the goaltending for the stingy starts. The club’s netminder, Montreal Canadiens draft pick and Latvia world junior championship backstop Mikus Vecvanags, was highlighted as a key factor.
“Goaltending [Mikus Vecvanags] was a factor in that,” said Grimwood. “But so also was our overall defensive back-end, which has been rebuilt, with a lot more depth on it. Generally, one of our goals this season is to bring our penalty minutes down.”
Offence finding contributors
Offensively, sophomore forward Levi Eiter has been a notable story. The Minnesota-born 20-year-old recorded four assists across the first two games and appears to be growing into a larger role. Grimwood said Eiter is logging significant minutes — about 24 per game — and brings drive and versatility.
Last season Eiter posted nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 53 regular-season games, plus three goals and four points in seven playoff contests. He is committed to Bentley University, whose NCAA profile has recently risen with tournament appearances in 2025 and 2026.
- Record: Victoria Grizzlies 2-0
- Recent results: 3-1 at Cowichan Valley Capitals; 3-1 at Alberni Valley Bulldogs
- Home opener opponent: Surrey Eagles (1-1)
- Key players: Mikus Vecvanags (goaltender), Levi Eiter (forward)
| Game | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Season opener | Cowichan Valley Capitals (Duncan) | 3-1 win |
| Second game | Alberni Valley Bulldogs (Port Alberni) | 3-1 win |
The Grizzlies’ early-season focus is clear: tighten up defensively, maintain disciplined play to reduce penalty minutes, and allow emerging contributors like Eiter to drive the offence. For Victoria fans, the home-opener offers a first live glimpse of whether those ingredients hold over a full game at The Q Centre.
Tonight’s matchup will test the Grizzlies’ rebuilt back end and penalty-killing consistency against a Surrey squad that has split its first two outings. For a club and community keen on sustaining competitive momentum, a strong showing at the first home game would set a tone for the weeks to come.
