By Cassandra Federico, Special to the Times Review
The Revelstoke Grizzlies bounced back from their five game losing streak this past weekend with back-to-back wins over the 100 Mile House Wranglers.
Coach Ryan Parent was pleased to pick up a couple wins, and felt that it was due to the team’s offensive push this weekend.
“We generated simple offense, and it definitely translated,” he said.
Friday’s game was played at the forum. The Grizzlies played strong, beating the Wranglers 6-2.
100 Mile house were first to get on the board at 5:14 in the first period, with a goal from Brett Harris. Revelstoke fired back, and evened the score at 1:06, with a goal from Ethan Waitzner, assisted by Carter Huber, and Kenny Batke.
Jayden Syrota restored the Wrangler`s one goal lead early in the second but Revelstoke would dominate the rest of the game, with five consecutive power play goals.
Steven Fiust tied the game at 1:07 in the second, with help from Nii Noi tetteh, and Kenny Batke. With only 26 seconds left, Fiust gave the Grizzlies a one goal lead going into the third period, after the Wranglers took a five minute major penalty.
Revelstoke`s domination continued in the third period. Griffin Fried gave his team a two goal lead at 18:35, with help from Josh Pilon. Fiust completed his hat track less than 20 seconds later, with assists from Tyler Chavez Leech, and Zach Paxman. Chavez Leech then cemented the win for his team with a goal at 2:11, making the final score 6-2.
Parent was very content with the team`s play on Friday night.
“Our game was disciplined tonight, and we threw more rubber at the net then we have in the past, which payed off for us,” he said.
The following night, Revelstoke travelled to 100 Mile House to face off against the Wranglers once more before the holidays. Although the Grizzlies were trailing most of the game they pulled off a great comeback, and won 4-3 in overtime.
Micky Turner opened the scoring for the Wranglers on a power play at 14:19 in the first. 100 Mile capitalized on another power play early in the second. Brendan Lane then gave his team a three goal lead over Revelstoke, going into the third period.
The Grizzlies were a force to be reckoned with in the third. Fiust was first to put Revelstoke on the board at 15:10, with help from Pilon, and Tetteh. Huber added a second for the Grizzlies at 8:04 on a power play. Just as the game was approaching the end, Paxman tied it up with a goal with 93 seconds left, assisted by Chavez Leech and Fiust. The winner would now have to be determined in overtime.
Both teams went into overtime determined to take the extra point, but Huber was the hero for the Grizzlies with a goal less than a minute into four-on-four overtime. Assists went to Chavez Leech and Tetteh.
Despite the wins, the Grizzlies remain in fifth place in the Doug Birks division, five points behind 100 Mile House for a playoff spot.
Parent is hoping the Grizzlies will come back strong in the new year, and continue to creep up the division’s standings, then secure their spot in the playoffs.
“We are in a play off push right now, and securing that spot is our objective,” he said. “We are definitely in the hunt, but if one team has a good weekend they’re right in there.”
Parent went on to share the messages he gave the players going into the holidays.
“I want to see them continue to work hard, like they have been. I think that’s going to be the bottom line as we move forward,” he said.
With 13 home games, and only five on the road left in the regular season, the Grizzlies will continue their playoff run mostly in front of their hometown crowd.
The Grizzlies return to action on Friday, Jan. 2, when they head to Fruitvale to face the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. On Saturday, Jan. 3, they take on the Nelson Leafs.
Their first home game of 2015 is on Tuesday, January, 6 against the Kelowna Chiefs.
