This week, the Grizzlys see 3 home games against three teams that’ve brought competition and physicality to Olds in previous matchups. The Grizzlys are hungry for a win after bringing Calgary to overtime and showing some late-game compete against the Kodiaks.
November 5 Vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons: For the first time since their intense preseason matchup with a combined 238 penalty minutes, the Oil Barons and Grizzlys will face off at the Sportsplex in the regular season. Fort Mac is coming off a split weekend against Whitecourt, picking up a win against the #1 team, and has been successful, putting up a 7-4-2 record, putting them in 3rd place in the North Division. Fort Mac has been led by 2005 veteran forward Ryan Arnold, leading the way in his 20-year-old year with 10 goals and 5 assists in 13 games, followed by returning 2006 forward Justin Dumais, who has had 5 goals and 10 assists in 13 games, showing opposite numbers. Grizzlys have been led through this last weekend by forward Sam Giangulano, who took the team lead in points after putting up 3 assists this weekend, putting up 4 goals and 9 assists in 15 games. Following him is linemate David Hoy, who has been hot for the Grizzlys, scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games. The Oil Barons will be facing the Drumheller Dragons the day before, on November 4th, getting warmed up for this heated matchup.
November 7 Vs. Calgary Canucks: A rematch from this last weekend, the Canucks are back in town, and the boys in Black & Gold are looking for revenge after a close 3-4 shootout loss. Harper LoLacher will continue to be a thorn in the side of the Grizzlys after his 2-goal performance that held the offence together for the Canucks. Ryland Molde stepped up for the Grizz in this last matchup, making two assists on what were the tying and go-ahead goals of the game before the Nucks tied things up at 3 apiece. The Grizzlys will have to watch for the Canucks powerplay as they have a high 26.19% success rate on the man advantage when playing as the away team, striking once in the last matchup, while the Grizzlys are fighting to get numbers up with a 65.71% penalty kill when at home. Calgary faces off against the Grande Prairie Storm on November 4th as well, so both teams will be warmed up for the Friday night lights with their midweek matchups.
November 8 Vs. Grande Prairie Storm: A highly anticipated matchup will come to the Sportsplex for the first time this season. These two haven’t faced off since Olds went up north for a weekend series where they went home 0-2 against last season’s AJHL finalists and had a combined 282 penalty minutes with 5 fights, huge hits, constant scrums, and suspensions. Safe to say that these two teams are out for blood against each other, and the shenanigans will most likely continue this weekend. Captain Colin Doherty will continue to be a thorn in Old’s side as he leads the Storm with 8 goals and 11 assists in 14 games, and when facing Olds last, he had 1 goal and 2 assists in the first game and a fight in the second when rookie defenceman Ky Martens got the best of the 2005-born veteran. Olds Grizzlys defenceman Brody Martin will be a vital player in putting up a successful showing against the Storm, as he had 2 assists over 2 games against GP, as well as fighting Roghan Walker despite the 5-inch height difference. The 2007-born defenceman has been the most valuable defenceman for the Grizz this season with 1 goal and 7 assists in 15 games, while consistently making big hits and smart defensive plays, playing a thorn in the side of every team’s offence. The challenge for the Grizzlys will be facing the Storms’ away penalty kill, which has an impressive 95.45% success rate, only allowing 1 goal against in 22 penalties on the road, versus the Grizzlys’ 14.71 home powerplay rate.
This week will be an exciting must-see week of Grizzlys hockey, and each of these games will be intense and exciting matchups that you can’t miss. Skip the line and secure your seats today: tickets.oldsgrizzlys.ca
