Ryan Parent likes to talk about playing “the right way.” It’s a term the Grizzlies coach uses frequently to describe his team and players.
What is the right way?
“It’s playing within our structure,” he said. “I think we played great defense, then we worked out from that structure into great offensive play.”
Revelstoke played “the right way” as it skated to a 4-1 win over the Osoyoos Coyotes on Saturday night at the Forum. It was the team’s only game of the weekend after a three game road trip last weekend, and it snapped the team’s five game losing streak.
“We had good goaltending, solid defensive play and the offense was there when we had opportunities,” said Parent when asked about the key’s to victory.
The two Kyles, Baron and Berry, scored for Revelstoke in the first period, with Baron opening the scoring on the power play goal eight minutes into the game, and Berry scoring with less than two minutes left in the period.
Aaron Aragon made it 3-0 Revelstoke with a power play goal near the midway point of the second, but Judd Repole put Osoyoos on the board five minutes later to make the score 3-1 going into the third.
The Coyotes pushed hard to even the score in the third but it was Revelstoke who capitalized on their few changes, with Brady Mende getting his first of the season to seal the 4-1 win.
“It was nice to get back to the Forum and get back to the game we know how to play,” said Parent.
Steven Fiust picked up two assists in the win, while also playing a key defensive role. “He was our best defensive player today, and then he scores,” said Parent. “I think if he continues to play the right away he’ll have the opportunity to move up to the next level.”
Goaltender Aidan Doak had a strong game, particularly in the second half, making 26 saves for the win. “He knows what he’s capable and when he’s mentally prepared, he shuts the door when we play the right way in front of him,” said Parent.
The Grizzlies had the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend off before reconvening to get ready for the upcoming weekend, when they play the Kelowna Chiefs on the road on Friday, and host the Columbia Valley Rockies at the Forum on Saturday.
Grizzlies complete transactions
In addition to his coaching duties, Ryan Parent has been busy in the general manager’s chair the last few weeks.
First, he sent defenseman Zach Morey to Kimberley to complete the trade for goaltender Brody Nelson. He also dealt defenseman Levi Morin to the Osoyoos Coyotes for forward Blake Hollowaty, who is currently playing in Junior A.
When asked about trading Morey, who was on last year’s team, Parent replied: “I think our defense is better than last year, and I’ll leave it at that.” As for Morin, he said it was a necessary move to acquire Hollowaty.
Lastly, Parent dealt Brodie Buhler to the Kimberley Dynamiters for future consideration. Buhler, a Revelstoke native, played two seasons for the Grizzlies before moving up to Junior A last year. After getting sent back down to Junior B this year, he asked to play away from home, said Parent. “We just accommodated his request,” he said.
Parent also appears to have settled the Grizzlies goaltender situation, opting to go with last year’s tandem of Doak and Michael Lenko.
