Photo: Diane Knezacek
The McBride Bantam Grizzlies Hockey team travelled to Clearwater, BC last weekend for a 2-game series against the Clearwater Warriors and Kamloops Capitals. On Saturday in Game 1 against Kamloops, the Grizzlies showed their Christmas goodie overindulgence by coming out flat-footed but eventually found their legs and skated to a 8-2 win. In Game 2 against Clearwater, the Grizzlies were firing on all cylinders and cruised to a 6-0 shut-out win. On Sunday, the Grizzlies skated to a 11-4 win against Kamloops and later a 5-0 shut-out win against Clearwater. Coaches Gerry Porrier and Brady Knezacek moved defenseman Dawson Drader to the center ice position for the weekend and Drader responded with 6 goals and 6 assists. Top scorer Dylan Vizza (7), Bryden Basran, Brett Jones and Julie Vizza had strong efforts combining for 36 points in total. Forward Jordan Gibson’s hard work in front of the net paid off with him potting 2 goals and 1 assist for the weekend. Peewee call-up Ethan Quam was rewarded for his hard play with his first goal playing in the Bantam division. Solid defensive play by defenseman Rylan Moore, Noah Janeke and Austin Gibson enabled goalie Robert Knezacek to post a goals against average (GAA) of 1.50/game with 2 shut-outs. New player Shalyn Braaten continued to develop and was double shifted which almost resulted in her notching her first goal in hockey.
