The Olds Grizzlys won two of three games last week in Alberta Junior Hockey League action, defeating the Calgary Mustangs 4-1, beating the St. Albert Steel 6-1 and losing 7-4 to the Grande Prairie Storm.
The four points give the Grizzlys 14 on the season, tied for fifth in the south division with the Calgary Canucks, two points back of the Calgary Mustangs.
The Grizzlys' demise on Saturday was due to too many turnovers, according to head coach Kevin Willison, who said he was generally pleased with the way the team played. The Grizzlys did get a two power-play goal effort from Taylor Bourne.
“I thought we totally outplayed them for the majority of the game. It just seemed that every time we fumbled the puck, the puck ended up in the back of our net,” he said.
On Friday, defenceman Craig Gans came up big for the Grizzlys, scoring two goals against the Steel, who are struggling to find their third win of the season, against 13 defeats and two overtime losses. The Grizzlys outshot the Steel 42-17.
“We look for leadership this year (from Gans) and he was playing extremely well for us early (but) he wasn't putting up any numbers like he did last year … but (he's playing) a little bit of a different role this year, being a leader back there, moving the puck ahead,” he said.
Gans suffered a broken hand earlier this year, which slowed his progress. But Wilison said his leadership abilities have not diminished.
“It's taken some time for him to get back to be able to shoot the puck and certainly Friday he showed that he's just about 100 per cent and he can start to fire the puck from back on the blueline,” Willison said.
On Tuesday, Jordan Kanscel led the way for the Grizzlys with two goals and one assist. Much like last year, Willison said his season got off to a slow start.
“It's nice to see him starting to come around. The puck finally found him in the right spot … high in the slot … and those goal scorers who have a knack for scoring …it's just being in the right place at the right time,” Willison said.
The Grizzlys' next home action is Thursday against the Camrose Kodiaks.
"I thought we totally outplayed them for the majority of the game. It just seemed that every time we fumbled the puck, the puck ended up in the back of our net."Kevin Willison, head coach, Olds Grizzlys
