Cole Sanford (#7) hunts for a loose puck during Saturday’s game against the Kamloops Storm. The rookie forward led the Grizzlies with six points last week. Perhaps he was motivated by a visit from a representative of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL the week before?

Cole Sanford (#7) hunts for a loose puck during Saturday’s game against the Kamloops Storm. The rookie forward led the Grizzlies with six points last week. Perhaps he was motivated by a visit from a representative of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL the week before?

Revelstoke Grizzlies take over conference lead

Revelstoke Grizzlies win three games over division rivals to move into first place in Okanagan/Shuswap Conference.

The Revelstoke Grizzlies passed the Kamloops Storm for top spot in the division and conference after winning all three games last week, including a key victory Saturday night over the Storm in Kamloops.

The Grizzlies started off the week last Wednesday with a 7-2 win over the Chase Heat. Braden Monk and Austin Donaldson both had two goals and an assist in the win, while Revelstoke’s Brodie Buhler, playing in place of an injured forward, scored his first ever KIJHL goal. Riley Spraggs and Cole Sanford also scored for Revelstoke in the win.

The big game of the week was Saturday night’s tilt in Kamloops against the Storm. After the Storm lost in overtime the night before, Revelstoke went into the game only three points back of first.

The game was a spirited affair, with Revelstoke emerging from the first period with a 3-2 lead thanks to goals from Marc Letourneau, Cole Sanford and Monk. Revelstoke added to its lead in the second, getting goals from Carson Bolduc and Riley Spraggs. The teams traded goals in the third, leaving Revelstoke with a 6-3 win.

Ethan Wood made 38 saves in net for the win.

On Sunday, Revelstoke travelled to Armstrong for a game against the North Okanagan Knights. Jordan Bledsoe scored twice and Andrew Standish, Michael Roberts, Lucas Hildebrand also got goals in a 5-3 Revelstoke victory.

With Kamloops falling to the Sicamous Eagles on Sunday, it meant Revelstoke was all alone in first place for the first time this season.

The Storm get a chance for revenge when they come to the Forum to face the Grizzlies this Friday, Feb. 10. On Saturday, Revelstoke hosts the Summerland Steam.

Revelstoke has five games left in the regular season.

 

 

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