OLDS — As they skated on to the ice for a matinee game on Monday against the Eagles in Canmore -- the third game in three days – the Olds Grizzlys could be forgiven if they were a bit tired and down, especially after being shut out in the first two games of that series.
But they didn’t let that stop them.
The Grizzlys allowed two goals in the first period of the Feb. 20 game, but then roared back with three of their own in the second period and another in the third, to hang on for a 4-3 win, their 16th of the season.
Greye Rampton led the way for the Grizzlys in that win with two goals and was named a game star.
That made up for two really tough games on the road Saturday and Sunday nights.
On Sunday Feb. 19, the Camrose Kodiaks shut out the Grizzlys 7-0 at the Sportsplex.
The night before that, the Dragons hammered the Grizzlys 6-0 in Drumheller.
In Monday’s game, after allowing those two goals in the first period, Rampton got the Grizzlys on the scoreboard at 5:51 of the second frame with his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Cade Moxham (his 18th assist) and Ethan Coventry, who picked up his third assist of the season.
Tristan Baumung evened the score at 2-2 at the 7:36 mark of the second period with his seventh goal of the season, assisted by Jayden Watson (his 15th assist of the season).
Rampton scored his second goal of the game and sixth goal of the season at 10:17 on a power play, assisted by Jaydon Iyogun (his 11th) and Watson (his 16th).
In the third period, Connor Michaud rounded out the Grizzlys’ scoring with his ninth goal of the season, assisted by Kyle Venneman (his 10th).
The Eagles scored their third goal of the game at the 19:15 mark of the third period, but couldn’t get the equalizer.
Marcus Cumberworth went the distance in net, stopping 32 of 35 shots. The Grizzlys fired 31 shots at Eagles goaltender Matthew Malin.
The Grizzlys now have a record of 16-37-3-1 for 36 points in 57 games and remain in last place in the eight-team Alberta Junior Hockey League’s south division.
They now have three games left in their schedule.
Their next two games are on the road: March 2 versus Camrose and March 3 in Calgary.
They end their season at home March 5, welcoming perennial powerhouse the Brooks Bandits, the defending Centennial Cup champions. Game time is 4 p.m.
On Monday the Bandits were named the No. 1 team in the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
