Olds Grizzlys forward Ty Mappin scored a hat trick and doled out three assists, leading his team to a 7-6 overtime victory over the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Nov. 23 at the Sportsplex.
Mappin's third goal came in the extra frame, with both teams playing three-on-three.
The 18-year-old from Red Deer took a drop pass from Jack Goranson and proceeded to split the Pontiacs defence. He was hauled down on his way to the net but managed to poke the puck past goaltender Joey Desrosiers for the win.
“You could say I had a good night,” Mappin said post-game.
“It was just kind of desperation. We needed that win so I did whatever I had to, to help the boys out.”
The win came following a 3-2 loss to the Okotoks Oilers the night before and improves the Grizzlys record to 12-11-4. The team sits fifth in the AJHL South Division standings.
Grizzlys head coach Brett Hopfe said Mappin's talent is unquestionable. In 16 games played this year, the forward has scored eight goals and recorded 20 points.
All Hopfe wants is for him to compete on both ends of the ice each night.
“When he does that, he's a very, very special player,” Hopfe said. “It was nice to see him have a breakout game for us.”
Two other players recorded multi-point games against Bonnyville. Jack Goranson had a goal to go with three assists. Landon Kletke had two assists and one critical goal scored with 32.8 seconds left in the third period to force overtime.
Hopfe said the win showed his team's ability to come from behind but also exposed its weakness on the penalty kill, with the Pontiacs going three for six on the power play.
“I thought our penalty kill was absolutely horrendous tonight and could've been the difference in the game if not for our power play,” he said.
The Grizzlys boast the AJHL's most potent attack with the extra man, converting on 24.5 per cent of their chances on the power play. They went three for eight against the Pontiacs.
Penalty killing is a different story, with the team ranked 13th in the league at 76.5 per cent.
The team will host the Calgary Canucks tonight at the Olds Sportsplex.
