A GREAT ROAD SHOW
If there's a better example of a great road playoff game - I've yet to see it.
On the road the Olds Grizzlys knew a quick start against the high-powered offense of the Okotoks Oilers would be key in the first game of their second round series . . . and what a start it was.
After an aggressive fore-check and great cycle in the Oilers' end Corey Campbell faked a shot and dished to Matt Marantz, who'd blast a slapper past Steve Papciak for his first of the post-season
The goal coming just 2:18 into the game.
Then under three minutes later on the Power-Play a great goal, from what's become a staple for the Grizzlys, the Tic-Tac-Toe Brigade - when from the point, Curtis deBruyn passed to Jordan Kwas who went cross-ice to a wide open Brance Orban - who made no mistake - putting the Grizzlys up 2-0.
That's how the score would stay until the lone goal of the second period which saw hard work from Nic Bourgeois result in his 2nd goal of the playoffs - putting the Grizzlys up 3-0.
In the 3rd Olds and Okotoks would go tit for tat - Sean Neumeier would score for the Grizzlys 7:59 into the frame, then on the Power Play the AJHL's Rookie of the Year Corbin Knight would break Marc Boulanger's bid for a shutout at the 10:51 mark for Okotoks.
The Oilers would then draw to within 2 goals after a great pass from Chris Duszynski would catch Boulanger out of position and leave Brandon Hoogenboom with a wide open net at 15:02.
But with less than two minutes left to play a great individual effort from Jordan Kwas would put Olds up 5-2 and thwart any chances of an Okotoks come back.
After the game Matt Marantz talked about his first goal of the post-season.
"I kind of got lucky," said Marantz, "it [the puck] went off one of their defensemen's stick and up into the air and into the net, you have to get lucky sometimes . . . it's really a monkey of my back."
The Grizzlys, who thanks to win - lead the series one game to none, will be back to work again tonight when once again they'll travel to Okotoks for Game 2.
Live coverage of tonight's game can be heard on 96.5 CKfm or by visiting ckfm.ca.
SCORING SUMMARY
| PERIOD 1 |
| Olds Grizzlys at 2:18 - Matt Marantz from Corey Campbell and Curtis deBruyn |
| Olds Grizzlys at 6:42 (PP) - Brance Orban from Jordan Kwas and Curtis deBruyn |
| PERIOD 2 |
| Olds Grizzlys at 7:40 - Nicholas Bourgeois from Shadoe Stoodley and Tanner Dion |
| PERIOD 3 |
| Olds Grizzlys at 7:59 - Sean Neumeier from Corey Campbell |
| Okotoks Oilers at 10:51 (PP) - Corban Knight from Quinn Sproule and Kyle Reynolds |
| Okotoks Oilers at 15:02 - Brandon Hoogenboom from Chris Duszynski |
| Olds Grizzlys at 18:15 - Jordan Kwas from Tanner Dion |
GAME NOTES
Curtis deBruyn continues to be a force to be reckon with - picking up 2 points, he's tied with 11 points for the league lead and leads all d-men in the post-season, his closest competitor is Kodie Curran of now eliminated Calgary Canucks who had 7pts; Jordan Kwas also has 11 points, while Brance Orban has 6 gaols and 9 pts; The Grizzlys out-shot Okotoks 32-23; Marc Boulanger made big saves when he needed too earning a .913 Save Percentage while Steve Papciak looked shaky to start the game but made several big saves in the 2nd to prevent a run-away, he picked up an .823 Save Percentage; Olds went 1 for 6 on Power Play and Okotoks went 1 for 3; Okotoks scored fewer than 3 goals for the first time in the post-season this year.
IN THIS BLOGGERS OPINION
I expect a much better Okotoks team tonight. The Oilers were caught off guard when it comes to facing a worthy adversary in the post-season and were the equivalent of tongue tied on ice. With that said - if the Grizzlys can play the same way they did last night, especially in their own end - I don't care what Okotoks team is on the ice - Olds will give them a run for their money.
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