Todd Patrick courtey photo
With two shutouts in their 3-0 season start, the Grizzly Hockey Bantam A team is making a statement in the Western Colorado Hockey League.
On Nov. 9, the Bantams opened their season with a 7-0 shutout win against valley rival Aspen. Defenseman Kale Tibbetts started the scoring only one minute into the game with a shot from the blue line. Two minutes later, Tibbetts scored again to for a 2-0 lead.
Forward Cooper Cunningham scored in the fifth minute to put the Grizzlies up 3-0. With just over a minute remaining in the period, Cunningham found Jett Weatherred in front of the Aspen goal and Jett scored his first goal of the season for a 4-0 lead at the end of the period. At just over five minutes into the second period, Jett found his brother, Beck, who scored his first goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Tibbetts led Weatherred on a long breakout pass where Beck scored again to put the Grizzlies up 6-0. In the third period, Jett scored the only goal of the period for 7-0 final score.
Grizzlies 5, West Elk 0
The Grizzlies hosted the West Elk Wolverines from Gunnison on Nov. 16 in the first division game for the Wolverines. Forward Kade Winger got the Grizzlies on the board two minutes into the game with assists from Cunningham and Sam Rosenberg. Defenseman Grayson Alcorta made it 2-0 with assists from Jase Joslin and Jett Weatherred.
The Weatherred brothers brought their excitement to the second period with Beck scoring twice with an assist from brother Jett, and an assist from Jase Joslin. Jett scored the final goal of the game with an assist from Beck.
Grizzlies 4, West Elk 2
In the second game, the Grizzlies were tested early and responded. Just over three minutes into the game, the Wolverines went up 1-0 with a breakaway goal by Cael Medina. After a solid battle at both ends of the ice, the period ended with the Wolverines still up.
Fortunately, Jase Joslin scored his first goal of the season to tie the game 1-1. Medina did not let that sit for long, and on a two-on-one advantage, scored again to put the Wolverines back on top, 2-1.
Jett Weathered tied the game at 2-2 to end the period. It was all Grizzlies in the third period, as Jett scored his second goal to put the home team ahead for the first time in the game. Beck Weatherred closed the game with an empty net goal with 7 seconds remaining for a 4-2 final score.
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The Grizzly Bantam A team is coached by Grizzly alumni Trey Fox and Dawson Quint, and long-time Grizzly coaches Jeremy Joslin and Wayland Weatherred.
The Grizzlies are off until Dec. 7, when they host Telluride at the Glenwood Community Center Ice Rink.
All games are free and open to the public. More information at http://www.grizzlyhockey.com
