The Olds Grizzlys split a pair of games on home ice last week while losing 5-4 to the Camrose Kodiaks in Camrose in Alberta Junior Hockey League action last week.
The Grizzlys also lost 4-2 on Friday to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons while they managed a 4-3 victory on Thursday to the Drumheller Dragons.
In all three games, the Grizzlys outshot the opposition.
During the Friday night contest in Olds, Jared Jerome of the Grizzlys was knocked out of the game when he took a hit from behind into the end boards at 10:29 of the third period. Drew McLaughlin was assessed a five-minute blow to the head penalty and game misconduct. As a result, he was also forced to miss games Saturday against the Canmore Eagles and Sunday against the Okotoks Oilers.
Following the hit, Sean Davies took McLaughlin on, receiving an instigator penalty, fighting major and game misconduct.
Following the game, Kevin Willison, the Grizzlys' head coach, said other than a bruise, Jerome suffered no other ill effects from the hit, despite being down for several minutes following the conclusion of the play.
“I actually didn't see the play myself but it's not that serious. He's kind of got a little bit of an egg underneath his eye, but he'll be alright,” he said.
As for the game itself, the Grizzlys started off slow, spotting the Oil Barons a 3-0 lead after one period, including giving up two goals on the power play. After the Oil Barons got a fourth goal early in the second, Brandon Sloan got the Grizzlys on the board with a good individual effort, going through two Oil Barons defenders. Sloan later added a third period goal on the power play in a losing effort.
Willison said the team came out flat in the first period, but was encouraged with the players' effort in the second and third periods.
“We took the first period off and we spotted them three goals. That's basically the difference. We had some good quality chances towards the end, we just needed a little bit of luck. Right now, we're just having a hard time finishing, ” he said.
Willison said the effort on Thursday against the Dragons was a good boost for the team.
Chris Stachiw, Brandon Clowes, Taylor Bourne and Spencer Dorowicz got the Grizzlys' markers.
“I thought a lot of it would carry over to (Friday), but sometimes when you have a young team and a team like Fort Mac comes into your barn you kind of stand around and wait and see what's going to happen. But in our barn we have to dictate how the game's going to be played, not sit back and spot them three goals,” he said.
The Grizzlys next game is a 7:30 p.m. start against the Camrose Kodiaks at the Olds Sports Complex tonight.
