As heard on 96.5 CKFM, goalie Ben Dardis (2004) from Mahtomedi, Minnesota backstopped the Olds Grizzlys to a 5-4 shootout win over the Camrose Kodiaks.
The Black and Gold trailed the game on Saturday, October 5th by the score of 4-1 after 40 minutes of play but Dardis gave them a chance to rally by kicking out 30 of the 34 shots he faced during 65 minutes of action and then denying 6 of the 7 shooters for Camrose in the breakaways.
Defenceman Justin Vandermeer (2004) from Caroline put Olds up 2-1 in the seventh round of the shootout.
Blueliner Tristan Taylor (2004) from Anmore, B.C. arrived from the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers in a trade this week. He had two assists plus the game tying goal with under a minute to play in the third period.
The second goal of the night for forward Antonio Bevacqua (2006) from Langley, B.C. had gotten Olds to within one when he made it 4-3 at 16:47 of the third.
Forward Braeden Veldhuizen (2006) from Calgary started the comeback with less than seven minutes left in regulation time.
Bevacqua had lit the lamp for the opening goal of the night for the Grizzlys late in the second period and at that point it cut the Kodiaks lead to 3-1.
Since joining Olds, Bevacqua has 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points in 6 games. He started the shootout off on the right foot for the Grizzlys against Camrose netminder Carter Capton.
The win improves the Grizzlys record to 4-4-0-0, while Camrose drops to 4-2-1-1.
Olds will continue a five game homestand with games against Bonnyville on October 11th and Drayton Valley on October 12th. Both of those Alberta Junior Hockey League battles can be heard on 96.5 CKFM.
96.5 CKFM spoke to Justin Vandermeer after Saturday’s win.
CKFM’s first conversation with Tristan Taylor was also post-win over Camrose.
Listen to more post-game comments from Ben Dardis following his AJHL debut for Olds.
Hear CKFM’s pre-game conversation with Head Coach Brad Tobin.
The new Head Coach and Assistant General Manager of the Camrose Kodiaks, Dean Fedorchuk, also spoke with CKFM before the game.