Grizzlies go down to Stars 3-2 in Shootout

The first period started fairly cautiously with both teams feeling out the other. It was clear this was the first proper game for the year for a lot of the guys who were just starting to find their legs again. It was also a group of guys who hadn’t all played together before so it took a little while for everyone to get settled in their lines.

The lines were:

Goaltenders

Nick Novysedlak

Reece Kalleitner

The Stars opened the scoring late in the first on Grizzlies Nick Novysedlak. The score remained 1-0 throughout the second with a lot of end to end play. Both teams were finding it difficult to clear the puck from their respective zones at times and a couple of odd man rushes created some opportunities for both teams. Early in the third Mick Russell evened up the scores with a snap shot from the hash marks. However it was only a matter of minutes before the Stars scored an impressive top shelf short side goal on Reese Kalleitner to take the score to 2-1 and put the Stars up by a goal. With only a couple of minutes to spare, A Stars penalty saw the Grizzlies form a powerplay line, and Mick Russell scored his second of the game to tie the score again at 2-2.

The regulation time clock ran down to zero. Officials advised we would play a 5 minute Sudden Death OT followed by a Shootout if necessary. The 5 minute OT was without question the best 5 minutes of hockey the Grizzlies displayed all game. Several good Grizzlies scoring chances and shots were foiled by Stars goaltender Josh Spicer. The OT clock ran to zero and a Shootout followed. Grizzlies Captain Sean Garvan selected Mick Russell, Keaton Sullivan and Jarryd Patton as the first 3 shooters. All three of the Grizzlies and Stars shooters had their scoring attempts quashed by respective goalies Reese Kalleitner and Josh Spicer. The shootout went to a fourth round where the Stars’ Storm Boyd made the first attempt and was successful in putting the puck past Kalleitner with an impressive backhand shot after dodging the pokecheck. Sean Garvan then selected young up and coming Gold Coast player Luke Moore to respond to Boyd’s goal, but was however unsuccessful in faking out Spicer.

In summary the game was very entertaining for the crowd, who got a taste of all 3 parts of a hockey game: Regulation Time, Sudden Death Overtime, and a Shootout.

Judging by the crowd there would have been an impressive total for the funds raised towards the Flood appeal, and the Gold Coast Grizzlies were glad and thankful to be invited to such an event.