The Olds Grizzlys emerged victorious at home on Sept. 23 against the Brooks Bandits in their first game against the team that swept them in the second round of last season's playoffs.
With less than 10 minutes to play in the third period, Grizzlys forward Austin Kernahan skated around Bandits rookie defenceman Adam Baughman and cut to the net. His shot was stopped, but Kyle Moore banked home the rebound to give Olds a 5-4 lead and the eventual win.
Grizzlys forward Landon Kletke was named the home star of the game, scoring two goals and recording an assist, making him the team's leading scorer with 10 points on the season.
“There's no better feeling than beating a team that goes by your bench after every goal wooing so yeah, great feeling,” Kletke said about the win.
Victories against Brooks have been few in recent years and Kletke said the Bandits are a team to beat if the Grizzlys are to be considered contenders in the AJHL.
“They've got a lot of talent over there,” he said. “We have a team that wants to be in first place this year and that's a team we have to beat if we want to be there.”
After a pair of losses last weekend against Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park, head coach Brett Hopfe praised his team's effort against the Bandits.
“We battled, competed and worked extremely hard. I think our penalty-killing was awesome tonight and that was something we challenged the guys with. Our powerplay kept on putting the puck in the net too,” Hopfe said. “I think that was the best team effort we've had all year.”
The Grizzlys killed off all four Bandits powerplays and went 3-6 with the man advantage.
Brooks outshot Olds 36-26, firing 19 on net in the third period alone.
Hopfe said he thought his team's defensive zone coverage had improved, thanks to players blocking shots and help from goalie Jordan Piccolino.
“That helps contribute to some success that we had in our defensive zone. Piccolino made some key saves when it did get scrambly,” he said.
“You've got to play like that every game in this league because anyone can beat anyone. That's something that I think we're starting to realize. And if we come out with efforts like we did tonight, we're going to be successful.”
The Grizzlys next play the Drayton Valley Thunder at the AJHL Showcase in Spruce Grove on Sept. 25.
