Apr 13, 2025 | Game Recap
Returning to the ice, looking to respond with a big win. But Corpus Christi runs propelled them to
a lead too steep to come back from.
The IceRays struck first as Nick Sinani converted. Pierson Sobush added to the lead.. Another
goal from Carter Krenke extended the IceRays’ lead to 3-0 after one, leaving Colorado on its
heels and searching for answers.
The Grit came out in the second period with energy and determination, outshooting Corpus
Christi 14-11 and generating several prime scoring chances. But IceRays netminder Trevor
Quinn was sharp, robbing the Grit on multiple occasions and keeping the home side off the
scoreboard.
Despite the pressure from Colorado, it was Corpus who padded their lead—capitalizing on
breakdowns and scoring four unanswered goals to push the margin to 7-0. The Grit showed
flashes of offensive cohesion and zone time, but couldn’t solve Quinn or shift the momentum.
Though the scoreboard was daunting, the Grit’s third period was a testament to their identity.
Captain George Poirier stepped up in a big way, notching a natural hat trick to give the home
fans something to rally behind and the locker room a spark of pride.
Poirier’s first came early in the third, finishing off a scramble in front. His second was a highlight-
reel effort, beating the defender wide before snapping a shot short-side. He capped it off with a
power-play bomb from the left circle, completing the hat trick and cutting the deficit to 7-3.
The effort didn’t go unnoticed, as the Grit closed the game with energy, effort, and a sense of
pride that will serve them well moving forward.
Apr 12, 2025 | Game Recap
Luca’s Mann early first period goal and Pete Sterling’s outstanding performance in his playoff debut fell just short of getting the Grit their first-ever postseason win on Friday night in Corpus Christi. Colorado fell in a 2-1 thriller against the #3 seed IceRays to fall behind 1-0 in the best-of-3 series.
The Grit jumped on top early, executing a breakout play to perfection to beat Corpus Christi netminder Benji Motew. Colorado broke into the offensive zone and Luke Helgeson drew two defenders before slipping a rinkwide pass to winger Lucas Mann. Mann shifted to the backhand and slipped the puck past Motew to give the Grit an early lead, 1-0, just 4:30 minutes into the first period. Colorado had a pair of power-play opportunities in the opening twenty minutes, but were unable to crack Motew a second time and took the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
Colorado started the second period in search of an insurance tally, but both Motew and Sterling held strong for their respective sides in net. Sterling, who finished with 24 saves, stonewalled a Billy Biedermann one-timer from the low slot with a shoulder save midway through the frame to keep the Grit ahead by the lone goal headed into the second intermission.
The IceRays found their tying tally in the opening minute of the third period; Cooper Conway punched a shot to the high blocker side past Sterling to finish off a 2-on-1 and tie the game 1-1 just 53 seconds into the third period to finally activate the crowd of 1,532. The teams buckled down defensively and Corpus Christi found another late 2-on-1 opportunity to take the lead. Pierson Sobush sauced a pass to linemate Troy Pelton, who tipped the puck past a sliding Sterling to give the IceRays their first lead, 2-1, with 5:49 left in regulation. The Grit pulled the netminder for the extra attacker in the final two minutes, but couldn’t find a way to beat Motew and repeat the heroics of last Sunday.
The Grit and IceRays face off in Game 2 of the South Division Play-In Series on Saturday night with the Grit needing to win to avoid elimination. Puck drop is at 7:35 PM CDT/6:35 PM MDT.
Apr 5, 2025 | Game Recap
Eight different goal scorers and an offensive barrage aided Colorado as they withstood a furious Odessa comeback to nab an 8-6 victory and secure the franchise’s first ever playoff berth on Friday night in Odessa.
The first period was among the best periods of hockey that the Grit have played all season long. Winger Kennan Reyelts started the scoring with a wrist shot off the post to give Colorado a 1-0 lead just 3:44 into the first period. The Grit offense exploded for three goals in six minutes in the latter stages of the first period to balloon the advantage to 4-0; Lucca Ori nabbed a shorthanded goal, Landon West slipped a wrist shot past Jackalopes netminder Aries Carangi to chase the starting netminder, and Willy Johnson redirected a wrist shot from the point into the cage. A late power play opportunity in the first period gave the Grit a chance to create a 5-0 advantage headed into the first intermission. Instead, Odessa forward Jordan Larkee collected a loose puck, barreled down the ice and buried a wrist shot over the blocker of Richard Rafaj to get Odessa on the scoreboard, 4-1, with fifteen seconds left in the period.
The Grit countered with an immediate response to start the second period. On the first shift, Ben Rakowski flipped a pass from the left wing corner towards Lucas Mann who then buried a one-timer for his eighth goal of the season to restore the four-goal cushion, 5-1, just twelve seconds into the middle frame. The goalscoring settled for much of the middle period, but the Jackalopes again used their shorthanded offense to great effect. Odessa forward Caden Ghiossi raced down the left wing and had the puck knocked off his stick, but regathered in the high slot and ripped a shot past Rafaj to cut the deficit, 5-2, with 4:53 remaining in the frame. Colorado responded immediately for the second time when George Poirier rifled a wrist shot past William Karphed to nab the Grit’s third power play goal of the game and push the score to 6-2 with 4:40 left in the second period.
The Grit appeared to have control down the stretch until a furious Jackalope rally reinvigorated the Ector County Coliseum crowd of 1,100. With 13:56 remaining, Joel L’Esperance snapped a shot from the edge of the right wing circle to trim the deficit to 6-3 for the Jackalopes. Ninety seconds later, Larkee gathered the puck off a carom from the endboards and lifted it past Rafaj to bring Odessa back within two, 6-4, with 12:21 remaining. Another shot from the point caused issues for the Grit as Nicholas Arrington’s snapshot squeaked into the back of the net and the Jackalopes pulled back within one, 6-5, with 11:33 to play. For the third time, a resilient Colorado offense struck. Sheldon Rioux tipped a point shot past Karphed to provide Colorado much needed breathing room, 7-5, with 6:20 remaining in regulation. The Jackalopes pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker while on the power play with under 2:30 to go in the third period and Christian Tavare batted a second chance rebound into the net to again tighten the gap to one, 7-6, with 2:25 left. After Rakowski pounded a shot into the empty net from center ice with 29 seconds remaining, the Grit were able to bleed the rest of the clock out successfully and pour off the bench when the final buzzer sounded.
Mar 30, 2025 | Game Recap
After an electrifying overtime win on Friday night, the Colorado Grit looked to carry that momentum into their second matchup against the New Mexico Ice Wolves. While the Grit battled from start to finish, the Ice Wolves capitalized on key opportunities, securing a 5-1 victory to split the weekend series.
The Grit wasted no time getting on the board, with captain George Poirier continuing his hot streak from the previous night. Just 3:11 into the game, Poirier found the back of the net, giving Colorado the early edge. The Grit played a physical, high-energy first period, controlling possession and pressuring the Ice Wolves’ defense. However, New Mexico responded late in the frame, sending the game into intermission tied 1-1.
Colorado came out firing in the second, outshooting the Ice Wolves and generating multiple scoring chances. But New Mexico’s goaltender stood tall, turning aside every quality opportunity. Meanwhile, the Ice Wolves made the most of their offensive rushes, striking three times with goals from Ethan Hull, Sean Gibbons, and Sloan Farmer. Despite Colorado’s relentless attack, the scoreboard told a different story as the period ended 4-1 in favor of New Mexico.
The Grit didn’t give up in the third, battling throughout. The Ice Wolves added one more before the end of the game.
While the loss was a tough one, the Grit walk away from the weekend with a win, taking two points home with them. They will face the Odessa Jackalopes next weekend on the road.
Mar 29, 2025 | Game Recap
The Colorado Grit battled their way to a 4-3 overtime victory against the New Mexico Ice Wolves on Saturday night. Following a tough loss the night before, the Grit were determined to respond—and they did just that in front of a hostile crowd.
The opening period was a grind, with both teams fighting forf ice. Peter Sterling was outstanding between the pipes, shutting down multiple high-danger chances from the Ice Wolves and keeping the game scoreless.
The Grit wasted no time making an impact in the second period. Carson Pavlowich broke the deadlock, giving the Grit the lead. New Mexico responded just three minutes later, but the Grit refused to let momentum swing. Pavlowich struck again to regain the lead, and at 13:29, Sheldon Rioux capitalized to extend Colorado’s advantage to 3-1.
The intensity ramped up, resulting in a massive brawl that saw ten penalties assessed. Neither team backed down, and the Grit proved they weren’t just playing to win—they were fighting for every shift.
New Mexico came out strong in the final period, scoring two quick goals from Jake Kasay and François De Villiers to even the score. From that moment on,the Grit’s defensive core stood tall, absorbing pressure and blocking shots, while Sterling continued to come up big in net. Neither team could find the go-ahead goal, sending the game to overtime.
The Grit refused to let this one slip away. Just minutes into overtime, George Poirier delivered the game-winner, burying to give Colorado the victory. The arena erupted as the Grit secured two crucial points and set up a decisive rubber match against the Ice Wolves tomorrow.
Mar 22, 2025 | Game Recap
After a hard-fought overtime loss on Friday night, the Colorado Grit responded in a big way
Saturday, battling through a late Amarillo push to claim a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory at home.
Sheldon Rioux delivered the game-winner in the extra frame, sealing an important two points for
the Grit in front of an electric crowd.
Determined to bounce back, the Grit came out with energy, but Amarillo struck first, as
Alexander Aleslov found the net just 2:47 into the game. Colorado wasted little time responding.
Braden Junker knotted things up with his fifth goal of the season, capitalizing on a golden
opportunity. The momentum carried over as Alexander German fired home his 11th of the year,
giving the Grit a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Grit tightened up defensively in the second period, limiting Amarillo’s scoring chances while
keeping the pressure on offensively. Midway through the frame, Lucca Ori extended the lead to
3-1, giving Colorado some breathing room. They were able to keep Amarillo off the scoreboard
in the second.
Despite Colorado’s control through two periods, Amarillo refused to go quietly. Aleslov struck
again early in the third to cut the lead to one, and with momentum shifting, Daniel Rassega
found the equalizer, forcing overtime for the second straight night.
Determined not to let another game slip away, the Grit wasted little time in the extra frame.
Sheldon Rioux stepped up as the hero, beating the Amarillo goaltender and sending the Grit
faithful into celebration mode.
With a well-earned victory, the Grit take two points and will look to build on this leading into their
game next week against the New Mexico Ice Wolves.
