The Olds Grizzlys stormed out to an early lead and went on to win their exhibition opener on Wednesday, September 2nd.
In an international match up, forward Zaine Rains (2009) from Cochrane had a goal and assist in the first period as Olds went on to take down the Korea University Tigers 5-1 at the Sportsplex. Rains says “they were really good out there. Their passing was really, really good and they really knew each other out there but I just tried not to worry about the age and stuff, and just stick to my game and play for the team.”
Forward Jake McDonald (2008) from Edmonton had a pair of goals for Olds including a shorthanded marker. Centre Nikita Kulikov (2006) from Ukraine netted a power play goal and added an assist. Forward Gavin Faul (2008) from Edmonton scored the first goal of the preseason for the OGs. Goaltender Corbin Sanderman (2007) from Three Hills shut out the Tigers for nearly 58 minutes and in the end kicked out 34 of 35 shots. Defenceman Junseob Song (2005) tallied the lone goal for Korea University.
The Grizzlys are the first AJHL team this year to beat Korea University as part of this international tour of games for the Tigers. Korea U will play a total of 7 games while in western Canada. The Tigers started the tour with a 3-0 win over the Xtreme in Devon on Sunday, August 30th. Calgary is their home base for their international trip. Their players range in age mostly from 18 to about 22.
The next preseason game for the Black & Gold is coming up on Friday, September 4th at 7pm against the Drumheller Dragons and tickets are available online at tickets.oldsgrizzlys.ca.
Listen to 96.5 The Ranch’s post-game conversation with Zaine Rains.
The Ranch spoke prior to the game with Tyson Soloski, Head Coach of the Olds Grizzlys.
96.5 also caught up with Korea University’s Assistant Coach Jin Hyuk Mun.
