The Olds Grizzlys were close to a .500 record with three games remaining going into the two-week holiday break, something Brett Hopfe, the team's head coach said was a positive development.
The Grizzlys had a record of 15 wins, 16 losses and six overtime losses following a 4-2 defeat on Dec. 15 against the Canmore Eagles in Alberta Junior Hockey League play. The Grizzlys were due to play the Brooks Bandits twice and the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Dec. 21 before the break. The Grizzlys resume their season on Jan. 4, 2014 at the Olds Sports Complex against the Drumheller Dragons.
“I'm pleasantly surprised with the way the guys have been playing lately,” Hopfe said following a 4-2 loss to the Canmore Eagles on Dec. 15. “We've been improving constantly throughout the course of the year and after last game (a 2-0 win over the Calgary Mustangs on Dec. 13) we got back to .500 and we haven't been a .500 hockey team since the first week of the season, so for us to be able to reach that goal and do it in a fashion where we have to work hard every day and win one-goal games, I'm very happy with that and I'm excited with the way our team is going.”
While Spencer Dorowicz continues to lead the team in scoring, Hopfe is more impressed with the way the captain leads by example. Dorowicz had 44 points in 37 games following the loss to the Eagles on Dec. 15.
“Spence has been a leader both on and off the ice. I can't say enough good things about that kid. I expect that will carry over as the season goes on. That's just the character kid he is,” Hopfe said.
Team defence has been improving due in large part to a pair of 20-year-old defencemen. Taylor Bilyk and Matt Hanger have played excellent behind the blueline and Nikolas Koberstein has continued his learning curve in his rookie season in the AJHL.
“(Koberstein) plays kind of a 20-year-old role out there for us, so that's a big role to play when you're a 17-year-old kid. He's doing a great job,” Hopfe said.
Ty Mappin has also helped out the defence, Hopfe said, by making a smooth transition from a forward position that he was playing earlier in the season.
Hopfe said the key to the remainder of the season will be to remain consistent, something that hasn't been a Grizzly cornerstone in 2013-14. The team still has one remaining roster spot it can use to bring in a player that will help the team in the final two months of the season. Rosters must be set by teams on January 10.
Tyler Kerner, who has been out of the lineup since suffering a lower-body injury in October, will anchor the team's third forward line down the stretch. Kerner made just his second appearance in a league game on Dec. 15 since his injury.
“I think he's really going to help us as far as playoffs go and that's how we build our teams. We take pride in building playoff teams and with him up there I think he's going to help out our third line. With his grit and his ability to get underneath (opposing players') skin, he going to really help us down the road,” Hopfe said.
