The Olds Grizzlys have a busy week ahead of them as they hit the road against some division rivals for 3 games. For a midweek Wednesday night matchup, the Grizzlys take the trip just an hour south to the Ken Bracko Arena to face-off against the Calgary Canucks. The boys get a little break with no action Friday, but travel up to the Encana Arena for the second time this season for a game against the Camrose Kodiaks, before waking up bright and early for a Sunday afternoon matinee back in Calgary against the Canucks.
Wednesday November 26th, Sunday November 30th Vs. Calgary Canucks: While these matchups will be the 3rd and 4th times these two teams face-off, this will be the first time the Grizzlys will be playing on Calgary’s turf since the preseason when the Grizzlys won 5-4 in OT. So far this season, the two teams have split records as the first two games have finished with a 4-3 shootout loss on the Grizzlys end before the boys in Black & Gold came out on top with a 5-3 regulation win against the Canucks. Players the Grizzlys will have to watch for this weekend are Grant Reid, Harper LoLacher and Connor Radke. Grant Reid has been the most consistent offensive performer for the Canucks against Olds, as he put up a pair of assists in each of the two games while LoLacher and Radke each had 2 goals in one of the two previous meetings, being big parts of these highly competitive games. Players to watch for the Olds Grizzlys are Corbin Sanderman and Sam Giangualano . Sanderman’s stellar play in net has led to the Grizz gaining 3 point against the Canucks in the past. The first game, Sanderman went in for relief of an injured Connor Johnson and made 15 saves on 15 shots, not allowing a goal until the Canucks shootout winner. Sanderman followed that game up with his first Junior win making 38 saves on 41 shots playing an integral role to the teams success. Sam Giangualano has been a force against the Canucks where in the first game he had 2 assists, while in the second game Sammy G netted his first hat trick of the season playing the biggest offensive role through both games.
Saturday November 29 Vs. Camrose Kodiaks: The Battle of the Bears takes place again, for the 4th time this season and the 2nd time in Camrose. Unfortunately, so far this season this matchup has not gone the Grizzlys way. While they’ve had success against the Canucks, they haven’t against the Kodiaks and look to break their unlucky streak this weekend against the Kodiaks. In the 3 meetings so far this season the Grizzlys have went 0-3 being outscored 21-11 in the process. Players the Grizzlys will have to watch for from the Kodiaks are Bowen Grycan and Tucker Tullikopf. Both players have been huge offensive threats to the Grizz in each of the 3 games so far. Tullikopf, the Olds native, has had 2 goals and 5 assists through all 3 games played contributing to these high scoring games, including Bowen Grycan, who’s put up 5 goals and 4 assists through the 3 games, will be someone the Olds defence will look to shutdown. For the Grizzlys, Rhett Miller and Jordin St. Louis will be the players to watch. Rhett Miller, the 20 year old forward playing against his former team has been a huge part of the Grizzlys still competing, as he’s put up 2 goals and 2 assists in the 3 games he’s played, to go along with his two-way workhorse play. Jordin St. Louis joined this series late as he’s only played 2 games against the Kodiaks so far in his rookie year, but has scored 1 goal and 2 assists in those games.
If you can’t make the trip to support the Grizzlys, away games can be found here: FloHockey
The Grizzlys are back in the Sportsplex on Saturday December 6th when the Lloydminster Bobcats make the trip down for the first time this season. Skip the line and secure your seats today: tickets.oldsgrizzlys.ca
