A 17-year-old defenceman from Langdon became the tenth member of the Olds Grizzlys current roster to net his first AJHL goal this season during Sunday’s 2-0 victory in Drumheller.
Jaxson Doyle (2007) lit the lamp in the opening period against the Dragons at the Drumheller Memorial Arena and it stood up as the game winner thanks to goaltender Ben Dardis from Minnesota posting a 38 save shutout. Doyle says “he was just sturdy. Obviously shutout, right? Didn’t let one in. He was our backbone in that game. Without him, it could have been a different outcome for sure. So big game from him.”
Doyle’s first goal came in his 15th career Alberta Junior Hockey League game. He has suited up for 10 games with Olds this year, after playing 5 games for the Canmore Eagles last season. He says “Patrick, Mitch obviously passed up to me at the point. I saw two guys in front screening and I just wanted to place it low glove there and I did. It was a good screen in front by Veldy (Braeden Veldhuizen). Kind of a monkey off the back to get that first point and the first goal, right?”
18-year-old forward Bailey Shortall (2005) is another Grizzlys who has notched his first goal in the AJHL this season.
The product of Halifax, Nova Scotia potted his first one in the league against Drayton Valley as part of a 3-2 overtime victory for Olds on October 12th. He says “yeah, we have a lot of first years on this team and I feel like they are all getting their legs now and there is going to be a coupe more first goals to come, I can tell you that.”
Shortall added his second AJHL goal by firing in an empty netter to cap off a 2 to nothing triumph over the Dragons on Sunday in Drumheller. He is enjoying being a key piece of the forecheck which is being implemented by the Grizzlys coaching staff this season. Shortall says “their attention to detail is really good and what they are trying to do here is really good. I see that they are doing a very good job at it and we’re all just knid of buying into that forecheck.”
Shortall has 2 goals and 4 assists in 11 games so far this season with the Grizzlys.
The Grizzlys will host the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Friday, October 25th at 7pm and live coverage can be heard on 96.5 CKFM. Thanks to the Grizzlys Alumni, kids ages 12 and under get into the SportsComplex for free when accompanied by a paid adult ticket holder.
Olds heads into tomorrow’s contest with a record of 7-5-0-0, while the Oil Barons are 5-7-1-0.
96.5 CKFM caught up with Jaxson Doyle after practice on October 23rd.
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CKFM also had a conversation with Bailey Shortall this week.
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