The Olds Grizzlys' winless streak has now hit six games with 6-5 and 3-1 losses to the Camrose Kodiaks and Okotoks Oilers, respectively, last week, in Alberta Junior Hockey League play.
The 6-5 loss to the Kodiaks came despite the Grizzlys jumping out to a 3-0 lead midway through the first period on a power-play goal by Spencer Dorowicz and a pair by Brandon Clowes, who got his third of the game in the second period.
While Brett Hopfe, the team's head coach, said he was pleased with the fact that the Grizzlys scored five goals in the latest loss, several players in the game – and in every loss – haven't come prepared to play. On Friday, Hopfe said that included the goaltending tandem of Ethan Jemieff and Taylor Joseph, who combined for a save percentage of .769.
“Every single guy in that locker room throughout these six games has struggled in at least one of these six games and, I mean, that's the difference. We weren't good enough as a team, I guess (Friday). Until we figure out how to play as a team, things will continue,” he said.
Hopfe said he thought the second period on Friday was a struggle for the team – the Kodiaks had a better period and tied the score at 5-5 – but the Grizzlys had a better effort in the third, despite the Kodiaks scoring the lone – and winning – goal off the stick of Luc Vandale.
While Friday's game produced more offence, Hopfe said the struggle has been finding players to score goals through most of the slump. In the other five games, the team scored a total of seven goals from five different players, not enough to get any wins. Although no moves have been made yet, Hopfe said “a shakeup” is in order to get the team moving in the right direction.
“We need to make a move here to find someone who's going to hopefully have some chemistry with guys off our team,” he said.
The Grizzlys have now dropped to seventh in the south division standings with a 7-11-1 record.
