OLDS — It was not an auspicious start to the new year, but the Olds Grizzlys’ 11-1 loss to the Brooks Bandits on New Year’s Day in Brooks was somewhat understandable.
The Bandits, after all, are the top team in the league. As of Tuesday, Jan. 2, the team's record stood at 35-4-0-0 for 70 points in 39 games.
The Grizzlys, on the other hand, are back in the basement of the 16-team Alberta Junior Hockey League with a 9-24-2-3 record for 23 points in 38 games, just two points behind the Drayton Valley Thunder.
The lone Grizzlys goal was scored by Cade Moxham, his 10th of the season, assisted by Gage Giblin at 14:47 of the second period, when the Bandits had already scored seven goals.They scored four more in the third period.
Aidan Comeau and Thomas Samborski split the goaltending duties for the Grizzlys.
Comeau stopped six of seven shots in 11:16 of ice time. Samborski stopped 28 of 38 in 48:44 minutes of action.
The Grizzlys were 0/1 on the powerplay, the Bandits 2/5.
The Grizzlys will see the Bandits again this Friday night when they host them at the Olds Sportsplex.
It’s the first of two back-to-back games this weekend. The Grizzlys host the Spruce Grove Saints Saturday, Jan. 6 as well.
Game time for both matchups is 7 p.m.
