After a scoreless first period, a disallowed goal for the Olds Grizzlys may have changed the course of Wednesday’s tilt with the visiting Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
Forward David Hoy (2007) from Fort St. John, B.C. thought he had given the Black & Gold the lead at 5:42 of the second period when he one-timed in a pass from winger Sean Richards (2006) from Vancouver, B.C. but it was waived off. In the ensuing scrum, Hoy was assessed a roughing penalty. Fort McMurray would go on to score an even strength goal three seconds after the penalty ended. The Oil Barons (8-5-2-0) would eventually build up a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes and go on to win the game 6-3 in front of 651 fans at the Sportsplex on a game night sponsored by Mountain View Power.
Fort Mac got stand out performances from centre Ryan Arnold (2005) from Spruce Grove and goaltender Kasey Fuson (2008) from Sturgeon County. Arnold checked off plenty of boxes on his bingo card by contributing a hat trick thanks to a power play goal, an even strength goal, and the capper was a shorthanded/empty net goal. Fuson earned the win in his first start in the Alberta Junior Hockey League by making 34 saves.
Forward Ryder Riedel (2007) from Didsbury netted his first AJHL goal for Olds and he also had an assist for his first multi-point effort in the league. He had previously picked up his first point with an assist in his only other regular season appearance back on October 3rd in Didsbury.
Sean Richards also scored for the Grizzlys and forward Jordin St. Louis (2009) from Airdrie had a power play tally. For St. Louis, it was his first goal in nine games. He had a four-game goal scoring streak with five goals in that span to begin his season in the AJHL, but had been held without a goal since October 4th in Lloydminster.
A busy stretch of five games in nine days and the current six game homestand continues for the Grizzlys (3-12-0-1) when the Calgary Canucks (10-6-0-0) arrive at the Sportsplex at 7pm on Friday, November 7th.
Meanwhile, the Ramada Olds Grizzlys U18 AA classic tournament will also be running this Friday to Sunday.
Prior to the game, 96.5 The Ranch spoke with a couple players out of the line up for the Olds Grizzlys.
Hear our conversation with defenceman Will Urtel (2007) from Irvine, California.
Listen to more audio with forward Jordan Wales (2006) from Delta, B.C.
The Ranch also had this pre-game chat with Sam Klassen, Head Coach and General Manager of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
