Special to the Revelstoke Review
Andy Siegel
A solid shoulder season crowd filled the Revelstoke Forum in tank tops and shorts to watch the 2023 Cyclone Cup champions, Revelstoke Grizzlies, win 3–0 in their home opener against the Columbia Valley Rockies.
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action got underway at 7:30 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 6).
The first period was a scoreless, tight checking, matchup with both teams shaking the rust off from a long off season, leaving both teams scoreless.
At 2:19 of the second period, new addition to the team Jeff Portola deflected a shot from the top center of the key for the first goal of the night and his first as a Grizzly. Assists went to Reid Ashcroft and Austin Wooley on the score.
The new recruit commented on his experience with joining the team, saying “it’s been great so far, I think we have a good group of guys and coaches. The boys welcomed me really well, so I’m settling in here very quick.”
Portola also mentioned his fondness for the Revelstoke crowd.
“I skated Triple AAA in Calgary last season but never played in anything like Revelstoke, the fans here are unbelievable. We’re gonna bring it every game so we’ll be ready to go 100 per cent, Coach is pushing us to be our best every night,” he said.
Midway through the second period another new defenceman, Jaylen Forsyth, displayed his commitment to earning a spot on the squad by blocking two shots and killing off a penalty.
At 19:11 of the second, the Grizzlies doubled their lead when David Ander pounced on a loose rebound, snapping it into the lower net. Assists on the goal were awarded to returning players from last season, Brady Schwab and David Wittenberg.
1:27 into the third period Revelstoke forward Ethan Coventry skated into the slot where he was fed a quick short pass on the ice by Luke Aston from Justin Gelderland. Coventry made a quick catch and release play, snapping the puck into the lower right corner for a commanding 3–0 Grizzlies lead.
Despite the final score, the Columbia Valley Rockies kept the game close, allowing 27 shots on goal to Revelstoke’s 28.
Revelstoke Cyclone Cup winning goaltender, Jozef Kuchaslo, reflected on starting off his season with a great shutout.
“It was good to have all the new boys out there and when they play in front of me like that it makes my job a lot easier,” he said.
Kuchaslo weighed in on the new players in the Grizzlies squad since last season.
“We have a lot of new faces this year with minimal vets coming back so it’s important for all the new guys to step up the right way and they did that tonight. I feel our defense is as good as last year.”
When asked about his new backup goalie Kuchaslo said “Louis Adler is a good kid, he’s come a long way to be here and shown his dedication so it’s good to have a positive guy like him in the dressing room.”
The next home game for the Grizzlies is October 21st when they face off against the Kelowna Chiefs.
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