It was not the results the Olds Grizzlys were looking for going into this weekend as the boys in Black and Gold lost 3-2 in overtime to the Mustangs on Friday night and then 4-1 to Brooks on Saturday. Both losses were on the road as the Grizzlys just finished a five game homestand. The losses bring the total to four in a row and a record of 2-4-2 in the busy month of December thus far.
Friday’s matchup against the Mustangs was the first since the blockbuster deal on December 1st that seen the Grizzlys acquire forward Damien Kulynych and goalie Jake Tamagi. The game did not see any scoring until 1:24 left in the second period when the Mustangs took a 1-0 lead (Labelle unassisted). Olds tied up the game 1:42 into the third period with a powerplay marker from Dylan Hubbs. Kulynych and Matthew Marcinew were credited with the assists. Calgary regained the lead three minutes later with a goal from McMurphy from King and Heseltine. With 5:10 left in the game, Olds tied it up to send the game to overtime. The even strength goal was scored by Chris Stachiw assisted by Kulynych and Marcinew. In overtime, with only five seconds left, the Mustangs scored to steal away the extra point (Virtanen from McMurphy and Frank). Fittingly, Tamagi got the start for Olds stopping 37 of 40 shots and Kulynych earned Player of the Game with two assists.
Saturday, the Grizzlys went to Brooks short-manned and called up 15 year old Chaydan Lauber. Brooks scored the only goal in the first period with just over five minutes to go (Paskaruk from Maclise and Tkachuk). Brooks struck again in the second while on the powerplay (Paskaruk from Petruzzelli and Maclise). The third period opened with the Bandits scoring back to back to take a 4-0 lead. First, Narsing from Paskaruk and then Lee from Reed. Olds broke the shut-out with 5:57 remaining while on the powerplay with a goal from Marcinew assisted by Jordan Lajimodiere and Stachiw. With the goal, Marcinew, who was name Player of the Game, has extended his point streak to 13 games. Olds finished the night 1 for 2 on the powerplay and Brooks was 1 for 7. Jemieff manned the net for Olds stopping 28 of 32 shots.
Next up for the Grizz is their Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game on Tuesday, Dec. 18th against the Camrose Kodiaks. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears, toques, or mitts to throw on the ice after the Grizz score their first goal. All items are donated to the Christmas Angels Society for families in need during the Christmas Season.