The Olds Grizzlys lost on home ice 5-1 on Saturday at the Olds Sports Complex to the Lloydminster Bobcats, capping off a 2-2 week that saw the local Alberta Junior Hockey League team play four games in the span of five days. The four points give the Grizzlys a total of 27, tied for fifth place in the south division with the Calgary Canucks, 13 points behind the Okotoks Oilers.
The Grizzlys and Canucks were due to face off Monday to break the tie before the Christmas break.
The Grizzlys dug themselves a hole Saturday, allowing three power-play goals. The latter goal came during an attempted seven-minute disadvantage in which they killed off a majority of Lucas Grundy's high-sticking, instigator and fighting infractions. The Grizzlys got one back at 18:22 of the second – 1:13 after the Bobcats' third goal, when Dylan Hubbs scored on the power play.
The Bobcats, who sit third in the north division with more than double the Grizzlys' point total after weekend games, put the nail in the coffin of the Grizzlys with two more goals in the third period.
Following the game, Brett Hopfe, the Grizzlys interim coach, said players continue to take undisciplined penalties that end up costing the team.
“I think discipline was obviously a problem out there again. We've tried to crack down and obviously (Saturday) we took a step back in that department,” he said.
Hopfe said he thought the Grizzlys gained some momentum after killing off most of a seven-minute man-disadvantage after Lucas Grundy was assessed a slew of penalties including an instigator and game misconduct. Hopfe said, however, they couldn't overcome the Bobcats' ability to work hard and convert scoring chances.
On Thursday against the Bonnyville Pontiacs, Hopfe said being disciplined was the key to the Grizzlys' 2-0 shutout in which goaltender Jesse Ehnisz stopped all 27 shots he faced.
“It was team discipline for sure. We played our systems and I think we really frustrated Bonnyville. That proves that we can beat any team in this league (the Pontiacs are 16 games over .500),” he said.
On Dec. 13, the Grizzlys bested the Okotoks Oilers 4-3 in overtime, with Bart Moran scoring the winner. The Grizzlys started the week Dec. 12 by losing 6-1 to the Canucks.
The Grizzlys will take a well-deserved break after playing seven games in 11 days heading into the Christmas break. The team was scheduled to play the Canucks yesterday after press time and today they will face off against the Drayton Valley Thunder.
"I think discipline was obviously problem out there again. We've tried to crack down and obviously (Saturday) we took a step back in that department."Brett Hopfe, interim coach, Olds Grizzlys
