Canmore Eagles defenceman Nikolas Kosman's backhand shot found the net during three-on-three action to give his team a 3-2 overtime win against the Olds Grizzlys on Oct. 18 at the Sportsplex.
The result could have swung either way once the game went to overtime, said Grizzlys coach Brett Hopfe.
“They came down with a lot of speed and we had guys on the ice who were tired. Three-on-three, it's a flip of a coin who scores,” Hopfe said.
“It's not a true evaluation of a hockey game. It's fun for the fans and exciting for them sitting up there but it's hair-pulling for us as coaches.”
The Grizzlys outshot their opponents 36-31 and Hopfe said it was a game they should have won if it wasn't for Eagles goaltender Ryan Ferguson.
“Tonight we outplayed them and they got a good goalie. Hats off to him and that's why they did so well last year and that's why he was rewarded with some hardware at the end of last year. I think he stole the game,” he said.
Olds' own Cale Brown opened scoring for the Grizzlys with his second goal of the year, deflecting a point shot by defenceman James Miller past Ferguson just over seven minutes into the first period.
Canmore tied the game in the second period and took the lead when Eagles defenceman Jeremy Gordon shovelled home a puck following a scramble in front of the Grizzlys net.
The Grizzlys tied the game on another deflection off a Jack Goranson shot on the powerplay at the 5:55 mark of the third period. Austin Kernahan was credited with his seventh goal of the season.
Despite the loss, the Grizzlys have now earned a point in each of their last five games, following a successful four-game road trip that saw the team win three and lose one in a shootout.
Their 9-5-3 record puts them in third place of the AJHL South standings.
“We just got to keep doing what we're doing,” said Brown post-game. “I think we deserved a better outcome. Things will go our way.”
