OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys’ 2023-24 Alberta Junior Hockey League season is over.
They lost Game 4 of a five-game league play-in series 5-2 to the Grande Prairie Storm Monday, March 11 at the Sportsplex.
The Storm won the series three games to one. They now advance to the actual playoffs themselves, which begin this weekend.
There was no scoring in the first period.
Ryan Tong of the Grizzlys scored the first goal of the game at 2:39 of the second period, assisted by Connor Seeley and Mitchell Patrick.
But then the wheels fell off for the Grizzlys.
The Storm scored five straight goals: three in the second period and two in the third before Grizzlys captain Cade Moxham scored the Black and Gold’s second goal -- and last of the season -- at 18:19 of the third period, assisted by Gaige Giblin and Greye Rampton.
Grizzlys goaltender Aidan Comeau stopped 28 of 33 shots he faced. Storm goaltender Nicholas Jones stopped 30 of 32 fired his way.
Shots on goal were fairly even between the two teams each period.
The Storm outshot the Grizzlys 11-9 in the first period. The Grizzlys returned the favour in the second, outshooting the Storm 13-11. The Storm outshot the Grizzlys 11-10 in the final frame.
The Storm were zero for two on the power play. The Grizzlys had no power play opportunities.
