Grills scores first BCIHL goal as Victoria holds off Eagles for sixth win

Jack Palmer scored on a University of Victoria power-play late in the second period to lift the Vikes to a 3-2 home ice victory over Eastern Washington University at the Ian Stewart Complex.

Jordan Evans put UVic up early with the only goal of the first period, but Beau Walker tied things up early in the second on an Eagles man-advantage. The Vikes bounced back midway through the frame, as second-year blueliner Ryan Grills notched his first career BCIHL goal before Palmer extended the lead to two.

Colton St. John brought Eastern back within a goal at the 14:45 mark of the third period, but the Eagles were stimied the rest of the way by Vikes netminder Zack Wear.

Wear had his best performance of the season, stopping 42 shots and picking up his second win in six appearances. Tanner Loucks faced 47 shots between the pipes for UVic and made 44 saves.

The victory was the second straight on home ice for the Vikes, who improved their record to 6-14-0-2 and will miss out on postseason play for the first time since 2014.

Victoria is back in action next Friday when Trinity Western visits in a rematch of last season's BCIHL Finals. The Eagles, meanwhile, head north to Lake Cowichan for a neutral site match-up with Vancouver Island University that is scheduled for an 11:00 AM faceoff Saturday.