The Olds Grizzlys fell 5 – 2 at the hands of the Calgary Canucks at Max Bell Arena on Wednesday night despite a strong start. The Grizz came out dominating the first period outshooting the Canucks 20 – 10. Defenceman Lucas Grundy opened the scoring at the 13:33 mark just after the powerplay expired with the assist going to Bart Moran. Two minutes later on a great individual effort, Moran blocked a shot, picked up the puck and scored a beautiful end-to-end goal to give the Black and Gold a 2 – 0 lead. Moran’s goal was unassisted. The score would stay 2 – 0 for Olds going into the second period.
The second period began with the Canucks starting to take away some of the momentum. With Calgary player Curtis Lewington in the box and the Grizzlys on the powerplay, Canuck forward Ruzesky took advantage of a broken play and scored a shorthanded goal to cut the lead in half. With the momentum back on the home team’s side, former Grizzly Jordan Kanscal tied the game two minutes later with possession on a delayed penalty. Despite outshooting the Canucks 13 – 6 in the second frame, the Grizzlys found themselves tied at two going into the final period.
Five minutes into the third period, the Grizzlys found themselves having to dig out a hole as Tony Keeler took a 5 minute major for cross-checking. With the extended man advantage, the Canucks took advantage scoring two goals from Glasspoole and Ruzesky to take a 4 – 2 lead at the midway point of the third. Once again, with the Grizzlys playing late desperate hockey, Kanscal scored his second of the night at the 16:30 mark to seal the game. Final score 5 -2 for the Calgary Canucks.
The struggling Grizz powerplay hurt themselves again as it went 0 for 10 on the evening. Calgary went 2 for 9 with the man advantage. Olds outshot Calgary 43 – 29. Grizz Captain Bart Moran earned Player of the Game honors for the Black and Gold.
Newly acquired goalie, Cody Nicolay, suited up for the Grizz as a back-up but will expect to see some action either in Bonneyville or Lloydminster this Friday or Saturday. The boys are back in the Grizz Den Monday, Sept. 24 against the Camrose Kodiaks. Puck drop is 7:30pm.