The Olds Grizzlys continued their winning ways last week, extending their season-high streak to six games with wins over the Calgary Mustangs (3-2), Canmore Eagles (4-1), and finishing off their season's home Saturday schedule with a 5-1 victory over the Drumheller Dragons in Alberta Junior Hockey League action.
The Grizzlys came out with a strong first period Saturday, getting on the board 1:35 in when Scott Antonsen put the puck past Dragons goaltender Braden Gamble. That was followed eight minutes later by a power-play goal off the stick of Brandon Clowes. Brendan Algeo gave the Grizzlys a 3-0 lead when he converted a pass out from the corner from Brandon Clowes.
After a relatively mild-mannered first period, the penalty gate began to resemble the doors of a saloon as a parade of players began making their way for forced breaks. A total of 15 major penalties were called in the last two periods, including one on Kevin McMillan of the Dragons, who was assessed a checking from behind penalty that later earned him a two-game suspension from the league office. Tanner Sather of the Grizzlys also took on Sam Lawson of the Dragons after the latter delivered a check from behind that earned him a double-game misconduct, fighting and checking-from-behind penalties.
Sather and Justin Cintas of the Dragons traded second-period goals. Jordan Kancsal concluded the scoring in the third for the Grizzlys.
Following the game, Grizzlys interim coach Brett Hopfe said the team wanted to put pressure on the Dragons from the initial drop of the puck. The Dragons are last in the south division with 11 wins in 46 games and have lost their last five.
"That was part of our game plan. Their confidence level in Drumheller right now is pretty low and that's what we talked about. We were in the same spot at one time. We talked about getting on them early and keep on rolling because we know what that's like,î he said.
As the game wore on, Hopfe said it was more difficult for the officials to keep a lid on it.
"I thought our guys did a really good job of sticking up for themselves,î he said.
Hopfe noted that during the streak, he has noticed more of a willingness on the players' parts to work hard and do small things like take a hit to make a play, that don't show up on the scoresheet but do lead to victories.
"It really shows that when a team buys in, anything can happen. We're getting contributions from everyone,î he said.
On Wednesday in the victory over Canmore, neither team capitalized in a big way on the power play, with the teams combining for two man-advantage goals in 14 chances. The Grizzlys outshot the Eagles, 43-25, with the Grizzlys' goals coming from Sather, Tanner Dunkle, Mitch Owsley and Casey Rogers.
Spencer Dorowicz, Brandon Clowes and Dunkle all chipped in two points in the victory over the Mustangs, while goaltender Brandon Thiessen stopped 26 shots in earning the victory. Ty Morgan, who tangled with Tanner Labelle of the Mustangs, missed the other two games last week due to suspension after being assessed his third instigator penalty of the season.
"It really shows that when a team buys in, anything can happen. We're getting contributions from everyone."Brett Hopfe, interim head coach, Olds Grizzlys
