The Olds Grizzlys earned three out of four possible points during their weekend games on November 14 and 15.
On Nov. 15, the team lost 3-2 in overtime on the road to the Camrose Kodiaks, who sit atop the AJHL South standings.
One night before, the Grizzlys beat the Calgary Canucks 6-3 at the Olds Sportsplex.
The goal of the night came from Grizzlys defenceman Jack Goranson on the power play, just over three minutes into the third period.
With his team up 3-2, Goranson skated the puck from his own end, around the defence and cut across the Canucks net, where his wrist shot beat goaltender Bolton Pouliot.
Goranson's third goal of the year gave the Grizzlys a 4-2 lead and was the eventual game-winner.
Goranson is one of three defencemen on the team who've recorded at least 10 points during the season so far.
Currently, rookie Kodi Schwarz is the scoring leader among Grizzlys defencemen, with two goals and 18 assists through 25 games. He is also the team's third-leading scorer overall.
Having blueliners that can carry the puck up the ice is one of the Grizzlys' strengths, head coach Brett Hopfe said.
“We're very happy with our backend. Almost every guy on our D-core can move the puck and move their feet,” he said.
“As soon as the puck gets turned over in our zone, we get the puck, skate it out; that's huge. That's something that we look for. That's something universities look for. They look for defencemen that can skate and have some size.”
The game against the Canucks marked the home-ice debuts for defenceman Jordan Steenbergen and goaltender Jesse Gordichuk.
Gordichuk is the team's most recent acquisition, obtained from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in exchange for forward Kyle Star.
Hopfe said his team was noticeably committed defensively, blocking shots for their new goalie, who stopped 25 of 28 shots.
“I know the guys were pretty excited for him to get that first win here for us,” he said. “When you have a guy that everyone likes, the guys in the room are willing to do anything for him.”
The Grizzlys next play the weekend of November 22-23, when they host the Okotoks Oilers and Bonnyville Pontiacs respectively.
