After being on the road for 5 consecutive games, the Grizzlys were happy to be back in the Grizz Den Monday evening as they treated the home crowd to 3 – 1 victory over the league leading Camrose Kodiaks. These two rivals always play each other tough and this evening was no different.
The Olds Grizzlys opened the scoring in the first which brought the boisterous Sportsplex to their feet. While killing a penalty, Brandon Clowes picked up the puck, beat the defenceman wide and made a beautiful toe-drag move to slip it by the goalie. It was the Grizzlys second short-handed goal in 3 games, assisted by Spencer Dorowicz. The rest of the period featured fast-paced, hard hitting hockey with the home team heading into the intermission retaining the one goal lead.
Olds struck again 2:36 into the second period to give the Grizz a 2 – 0 lead. After a hard working shift down low, Austin Kernahan picked up a loose puck in the slot and hammered home his first of the season assisted by Landon Kletke and Tony Keeler. The goal came even strength. Once again, this tight-checking period seen several chances but no results on the scoresheet as the Grizzlys held the 2 – 0 lead going into the final period.
The third period opened with the Kodiaks pressing hard to try and cut the lead. At the 6:17 mark, Kodiaks player Ty Clay slipped one past Ethan Jemieff to bring the score 2 – 1. The Grizzlys found themselves having to kill a penalty with just over 3 minutes remaining in the game, but weathered the storm and kept the puck out of the net. With the Kodiaks pushing, Olds chipped the puck out of their end and Clowes sealed the game firing the puck into the empty cage with one second remaining to give the Grizz a 3 – 1 win. Linemate Tanner Dunkle and Lucas Grundy were credited with the assists.
Grizzlys goalie Jemieff finished the game with a stellar 38 save performance while the Grizzlys fired 43 shots at Kodiaks netminder Devin McDonald. Grizzlys sparkplug Dylan Hubbs earned Player of the Game in front of the 485 faithful fans. Special teams did not play a major factor as the Grizzlys went 0 for 8 with the man advantage and the Kodiaks went 0 for 10.
Up next, the Grizzlys head to Spruce Grove for the AJHL Annual Showcase which will see the boys in Black and Gold take on Drayton Valley Thursday at 3:30pm and Drumheller Friday at 12:00pm. Next home action will see the Grizzlys take on Canmore Eagles at 7:30pm on Oct. 5. With the NHL lockout still in effect, be sure to get your hockey fix with exciting Olds Grizzlys Junior Hockey Action!