Grenfell -
It has been a very busy few weeks in the world of senior hockey, and a very entertaining time as well!
As promised by the scheduling, January is proving to be a very busy and important month for the teams around the QVHL with the Spitfires being no exception. Grenfell, having played 5 games in the last week and a half are starting their playoff push with just 5 games remaining in the regular season schedule.
Recently, they have been rolling over the competition. In their first meeting of the season versus the 2 lowest seeded teams in the Western Division, Grenfell had little trouble. The Spits first hosted the Gordons Hawks on Wed., January 13th, a game that saw a high scoring affair as the boys in blue tallied their highest total goals to date in a 13-1 drumming. four days later in Ogema, they had a repeat performance with a 10-3 victory over the Colts.
Sniper Brett Cross enjoyed a couple of breakout games with 5 goals and 5 assists. Grenfell's captains also chipped in from the blueline, as Braden Reiger and Joe Steranko combined for a total of 15 points over those two games.
This past week Grenfell played host to the Rouleau Ramblers, a true test of their recent successes. Rouleau, at the time the 3rd seeded team in the league and second in the Western Division, rolled into Grenfell with a 9-5-1 record and sporting a scoring threat that included last years QVHL co-MVP Lonny Forrester, as well as last years QVHL Scoring Champion Jonas Thompson.
The game however was not as expected, as Grenfell took the lead early on a quick goal from rookie Kale Haylock and never looked back. Goaltender Kelly Lueck was at the top of his game, making key saves while the team was shorthanded that at times took the breath from the large crowd at the GRPA.
A few of his saves were described by one fan as the 'nicest saves hes ever seen', and definitely kept the game where it should be. Inspired by his stellar play, Grenfell took to the Ramblers with a flurry of goals led by Dan Wilson and Brennan Holloway who each had 5 points. Kale Haylock also enjoyed a break-out game with 4 points.
On route to a convincing 12-2 victory, the Spits made a statement that they were not the team they have been in recent years and are a legitimate threat to go deep into the playoffs.
That game distanced themselves from 3rd place Balcarres in the Eastern Division standings and moved them to within 3 points of 1st place Montmartre/Odessa. It also saw them climb to 3rd place overall in the QVHL standing, a feat they have not accomplished since the 2007-2008 campaign. Grenfell also played a key division matchup with Montmartre/Odessa this past Saturday and another against Ogema yesterday, two games that had not been played as of press time.
The Spitfires would also like to make aware of the upcoming 2010 Provincial Playdowns starting next month. Grenfell has entered into the Senior B category and is pitted against the Assiniboia Rebels in the first round. Game 1 of the 2 game total point series takes place on Sunday February 7th in Grenfell at 6 PM. Game 2 is scheduled tentatively for the following Sunday February 14th in Assiniboia at 4PM.
Grenfell is looking into taking a bus for fans who wish to follow their team to Assiniboia for that game. If you are interested you can contact any Spitfire executive member for details!!
Grenfell's next home game is Saturday January 30th vs Kelliher. I look forward to seeing you all at the games!!!
SHOT ON NET - Number 3 for the Fort Qu'Appelle Falcons skates past Moosomin/Grenfell Rangers netminder Devon Brown after he stopped his shot on net in their game Sunday afternoon. Fort Qu'Appelle won the game 10-5.
A SEA OF WHITE - Moosomin/Grenfell Rangers Bantam goalie had lots of protection from fellow players in their game against Fort Qu'Appelle Sunday in Grenfell. Both teams were tied 5-5 late into the game before Fort Qu'Appelle broke out and score five more goals to win the game 10-5.
