The month of November is proving kind to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies picked up two more wins last week, giving them four in five games this month, and a 6-2-1-1 record in their last 10 games.
“I think it’s the commitment of our players to play a responsible game and play with some consistency,” said coach Ryan Parent. “I think we’ve had good efforts right from the goaltending, out to our back end, and we’re creating enough offense to win hockey games.”
On Tuesday, Revelstoke was in 100 Mile House, where they delivered the Wranglers their first loss on home ice this season.
Wyatt Gottschalk scored a power play goal in the first period and Ryan Pereverzoff got the game winner less than five minutes into the third period to give Revelstoke a 2-1 win. Aidan Doak made 21 saves as the Grizzlies held the Wranglers, one of the league’s top scoring teams, to only one goal. Steven Fiust picked up two assists in the game and defenceman Kyle Baron was named the Away Star.
On Saturday, Revelstoke travelled to Princeton to face the Posse. Michael Lenko was in net and the Grizzlies scored three times in the third period to emerge with a 5-1 victory. Kyle Berry led the way offensively with one goal and an assist, while Kaden Black, Tommy Bodtkey, Ryan Hozjan and Connor Johnston also scored for Revelstoke.
Berry and Fiust were named the team’s two players of the week.
Parent said the team has been improving every week. They are one of the top defensive teams in the league and haven’t given up more than two goals in regulation in more than a month.
“We have a pretty resilient group,” he said. “We have a good strong core and we were able to add some good key pieces. I think our group is coming together and playing good hockey right now.”
He wasn’t concerned about the team’s limited offense so far this season.
“I think we’ve had scoring by committee,” he said. “You take a look at our lineup and we don’t have that one guy that’s been out there lighting the lamp with two points per game. That’s OK. We have a group that’s bought into the team effort. You’ll see everybody’s numbers continue to get better.”
Parent made a trade on the weekend, dealing forward Josh Pilon to the Summerland Steam for forwards Cole Woodliffe and Tyson Klingspohn, and future consideration.
“In some situations, a change can help a player,” said Parent. “We wish Josh well. He was a good kid here and we enjoyed having him here.”
Woodliffe has seven points in 17 games this season for the Weyburn Red Wings of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, while Klingspohn is playing for the Springfield Express in the Western States Hockey League, where he has 26 points in 18 games. Parent hopes both players will eventually return to the KIJHL and suit up for the Grizzlies. One other player will be coming to the Grizzlies, but he has yet to be named.
This weekend, Revelstoke faces the division-leading Kamloops Storm twice. On Saturday, they face off at the Forum, while on Sunday the teams play a matinee game in Kamloops.
“We’re not afraid of Kamloops,” said Parent. “The second half of last year we played them well. I think this year we’re a pretty tough team to play against. Teams have trouble generating offense against us, our penalty kill has been very good and I think offensively we’re continuing to get better.”
On Tuesday, Revelstoke travels to Chase to play the Heat.
Revelstoke sits in fourth place in the Doug Birks Division with 21 points, six back of the Chase Heat, but with three games in hand. Revelstoke has played the fewest games in the league. They are 10 points back of 100 Mile House, with five fewer games played, and 14 back of Kamloops, with four fewer games played.
