By Samantha Roberts/contributor
The Revelstoke Grizzlies took a 1-0 inner-division win against the Sicamous Eagles on Saturday night.
It was a hard-fought encounter in which neither team could really gain the upper hand or have periods of dominance. In fact, the only periods of momentum for either team came on the power play, with both teams performing well with the man advantage, only to be thwarted by great defence and goaltending. However, the Grizzlies eventually found a way through to the back of the net, with the game’s only goal coming on a power play during the third period at 17:50. It was scored by a surprised looking Kenny Batke, assisted by Josh Pilon and Nii Noi Tetteh.
Coach Ryan Parent was pleased with the team’s overall play.
“The Sicamous game was a good reflection of what we worked on this week,” said Parent. “We eliminated 2 on 1, 3 on 1 and odd man rush situations that cost us in previous games. There was a full team effort.”
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Sunday’s game, which ended in a 3-2 win in favour of Spokane.
Spokane took the lead at 17:21 during a first-period power play. Kieran Brunetti responded by getting the Grizzlies on the score sheet at 13:38, assisted by Derek Miskiman. However, Spokane quickly regained the lead, leaving the Grizz to struggle through the second period and most of the third to try to level the scores. When they did finally score a second goal, through Ryan Hozjan and Riley Creighton at 10:14 in the third, it was not to draw level but to reduce arrears, as Spokane scored their third goal of the game less than two minutes prior.
“What we have to work on this week is to be there for the whole game,” commented Parent. “There was a good 25 minutes where we weren’t in the game.”
Taking bad penalties contributed to the loss, something that had cost the Grizzles the previous weekend.
The Grizzlies will look to continue improving their game next weekend, when they have a home Halloween fixture against the Chase Heat. There will be a prize for the best costume, so be sure to show up all decked out in your finest scary outfit. Puck drops at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
If you are on the road, you can catch the Grizzlies in Kamloops at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the McArthur Park Arena, or Sunday Nov. 2nd at 2 p.m. at the Summerland Arena.
The Grizzlies are also proud to provide support this week to the Reader Leaders program at BVE and the Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association for their Halloween skate.
The Grizzlies will also be attending the Remembrance Day ceremonies.