MONDAY - GAMES 1,2 & NOW 3

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?

Let's be honest, the Olds Grizzlys' Coaching Staff probably wouldn't call Games 1 and 2 of their AJHL Semi-Final Series in Spruce Grove a complete success.

Yesterday the Grizzlys boarded the bus heading back to Olds down two games to none and having been outscored 6 to 2 in total so far in the best of 7 series.

That's the big picture.

But when you really break it down and a take good long look at the Games 1 and 2 - there really isn't much to be disappointed about.

In Game 1 the Grizzly's lost 4-1. Sure, that doesn't sound flattering, but factor this, one of the Saints' goals came after a weak shot from the blueline, which initially was sailing well wide, took a bizarre deflection off one of Grizzlys' sticks and in to the net while the fourth goal was an empty net marker.

Don't me wrong - a Saints' win is still a Grizzlys loss - but by no means was the score an accurate reflection of the intensity and competitiveness of the game.

Both teams fired 30 - plus shots on net and both teams had their fair share of chances, though I will says the Saints had more of each.

In Game 2 the score would prove to be a very accurate reflection of how this series could go.

The Saints pulled off a 2-1 win in a contest that saw great goalkeeping from either side, great defense, and a true back and forth affair that saw the Saints control the first half-hour of play - matched with an equally impressive second half controlled for the most part by the Grizzlys.

When all was said and done there were several aspects the Grizzlys could look back on and take pride in during two very well played road games:

Penalty Kill - The Olds Grizzlys have held the Saints to only 1 Power Play Goal one their 9 Chances - that's 11% efficiency, where prior to this series Spruce Grove was clicking at 29% in the regular season and 30% in the post-season.

Goaltending - Marc Boulanger continues to prove he deserved everything he didn't get during the regular season, most obviouse, an invitation to the AJHL's All-Star Game. For those who didn't see Period 2 of Game 2, I feel sorry for you. Boulanger has allowed only 4 goals on 62 shots earning a .935 Save Percentage while keeping the Saint to an average of just over 2 goals per game, when they entered this series scoring an average of 4.

Physical Play - The clear M-O right out of the gate for the Grizzlys was to hit. Though it was much better in Game 2 than it was the night before - you have to applaud the Grizzlys for hitting at all. Average Height for the Saints - 6'2'' (including a pair of players at 6'5"). Average Height for the Grizzlys - 5'11".

Looking back the Grizzlys skated, hit and competed with the Nation's top CJHL team. So mission accomplished? No. But it certainly wasn't and isn't going to be the "Mission: Impossible" some had dubbed this series for the Grizzlys.

SCORING SUMMARY
GAME 1

PERIOD 1

Spruce Grove Saints at 4:00 - Brett Switzer from Shane Lehman and David Glen

PERIOD 2

Spruce Grove Saints at 9:14 - Konrad Becker (unassisted)

Spruce Grove Saints at 14:26 - Curt Morrison from Tyler Barr

PERIOD 3

Olds Grizzlys at 3:42 (PP) - Wade Bergman from Shadoe Stoodley

Spruce Grove Saints at 18:53 (SH) (EN) - Scott Allen (unassisted)

GAME 2

PERIOD 1

Spruce Grove Saints at 3:41 - David Glen from Shane Lehman

PERIOD 2

Olds Grizzlys at 14:14 - Jordan Kwas from Nicholas Bourgeois and Matt Tinordi

PERIOD 3

Spruce Grove Saints at 7:28 (PP) - Brett Switzer from Curt Morrison and Brendan Lines

INTERESTING TO NOTE
Home Town advantage becomes critical during the North-South Cross Over. When you factor in the away from home eating and sleeping along with the travel. . .it wares a team down. (I did not play hockey and just staying and eating with the team this past weekend, was exhausting) But to me, the biggest factor, is the home town crowds. When any team, at any level, in any sport to gets to the Semi Finals - it creates a buzz in the community. People get excited and head down to games in droves. (Except for in Spruce Grove apparently, where the loudest thing in the Spruce Grove Arena was the Titanic Fog Horn - followed closely by the 20-some Grizzly fans who made the trip). The last game at the Olds Sportcomplex had over 1100 fans in attendance, and that was on a Monday!

5 and 1 = The Grizzlys record at the Olds Sportscomplex in the post season.