OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys are back on the road for two games this weekend after the Alberta Junior Hockey League's schedule is now formalized after five teams officially left the league this week.
The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) announced Thursday that the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints had signed franchise agreements and are now members of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) as of Jan. 31.
The 11 remaining teams, including the Olds Grizzlys, will finish the remaining 2023-24 season playing each other.
The Grizzlys face off against the Lloydminster Bobcats on Friday, Feb. 2 and the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Saturday, Feb. 3 before hosting the Grande Prairie Storm on Feb. 7.
The Grizzlys missed a chance to close the gap on the Drayton Valley Thunder when they faced off against them on Jan. 27 in Drayton Valley.
Instead, a 5-1 loss in that game widened the gap between the two teams to nine points.
As of Monday, Jan. 29, the Grizzlys remained in last place in the league with a 10-31-2-3 record for 25 points in 46 games.
The Thunder continued to hold down second last place with a 16-29-2-0 record for 34 points in 47 games.
Last Saturday’s matchup got off to a promising start for the Grizzlys when forward Connor Seeley scored at the 6:37 mark of the first period, assisted by Mitchell Patrick and Tait Humphries.
But it was all downhill from there.
The Thunder scored five unanswered goals, including three in the first period alone and a power play goal late in the third period to seal the win.
Aidan Comeau went the distance in net for the Grizzlys, stopping 28 of 33 shots he faced. The Grizzlys fired 38 shots at Thunder goaltender Nicholas Cristiano.
The Grizzlys had lots of opportunities to score on the power play, but unfortunately, they were zero for seven with the man advantage. The Thunder scored on two of their four power play chances.
