A long day of Practice with on-ice and off-ice sessions
Additions of 3 new Grit forwards looking to spark Grit offense.
Tune in to KFKA radio at 10:00am for Coach’s Corner
Marketing team gearing up for Military Appreciation week.
Forward Nick Noble scored his third goal of the season and Grit netminder Jack Erickson made 22 saves but a buzzer-beater in overtime saw the Grit fall 2-1 to Amarillo at the Greeley Ice Haus on Saturday night. Despite outshooting the visitors 10-9 in the opening period, it was the Amarillo Wranglers that got the scoring started for the second night in a row. With the assist from Salvatore Cerrato and Morley Phillips, With 3:30 to play in the period, Amarillo forward Aidan Dres was able to get the puck around Colorado’s goaltender Jack Ericksonwith 3:30 remaining in the first period.
The goaltending duel between Erickson and Wrangler netminder Charlie Zolin continued across the second period with no goals scored during the frame. Unfinished business from Friday night around ejections to Grit defenseman Evan Smutney and Amarillo forward Divyne Apollon came to a head midway through the second period. With just under thirteen minutes to play in the period, Smutney finished his check on Wrangler Ben Cameron and Apollon threw his gloves on the ground as Smutney took some pretty big jabs before the officials pulled Apollon and Smutney apart. As Apollon was ejected from the game, Colorado gained a major power play out of the situation, but were unable to cash in after four of their 36 total shots were kicked aside by Zolin.
The third period started 1-0 and Colorado continued to pepper Zolin with shots, outshooting the Wranglers 11-4 in the final frame. Grit winger Nolan Shaw and Amarillo winger Nolan Davis exchanged punches and received matching misconduct penalties following the tilt outside the Wrangler goalmouth. A late power play provided the opportunity Colorado had been searching for. With a great rotation of the puck, forward Lucca Ori had the initial shot and Zolin spilled the rebound off his right pad. Noble was right there to pounce for his third goal of the weekend and tie the game, 1-1, with 3:30 to play in regulation.
Much like regulation, the Grit controlled the shots and offensive opportunities during most of the extra session. With 3:07 remaining in overtime, Ori flew down the left wing and had a wrist shot swallowed up on a 2-on-1 breakout. Moments later, Helgeson had a breakaway opportunity that didn’t result in a shot after the puck rolled off his stick while trying a backhand effort. The game looked destined for a shootout until Amarillo defender Salvatore Cerrato intercepted a pass with three seconds left and barreled to the front of the net. His deke slid the puck under Erickson with less than a second to play and gave the Wranglers the 2-1 overtime win.
When the Colorado Grit arrived at their new home at the Ice Haus in Greeley, CO they were thrilled. Every practice and game players would hang their jerseys on the wall and take a seat on the folded chair. The locker room was built long before it ever thought a NAHL hockey team would be coming. Now fast forward to today. Excitement and anticipation buzzed through the air as the hockey team gathered for the grand unveiling of their brand-new locker room. The once utilitarian and dated space had undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a state-of-the-art haven for the athletes. Gleaming wooden lockers proudly displayed each player’s name and number, while vibrant team colors adorned the walls, creating an inspiring and cohesive atmosphere. The spacious layout allowed for a sense of camaraderie, fostering team spirit and unity. As the players settled into their plush new seats, they couldn’t help but feel a surge of motivation, ready to conquer the upcoming season in their upgraded sanctuary. The new locker room not only reflected the team’s commitment to excellence but also symbolized a promising chapter in their journey toward success on the ice.
Without the support of Greeley and the surrounding communities, this project would have never happened. We hope this message finds you well and filled with the same passion for hockey that drives our team forward. As we embark on another exciting season, we are reaching out to our community, friends, and supporters to ask for your valuable assistance. Your generous donations will play a crucial role in helping our hockey team thrive, covering essential expenses such as equipment, travel, and facility costs. By contributing to our cause, you not only support the development of talented athletes but also foster a sense of community pride. Every dollar brings us one step closer to achieving our goals and creating lasting memories on the ice. Join us in shaping the future of our team and empowering our players to reach their full potential. Together, we can make this season unforgettable. Thank you for your continued support!
For more information please visit our “Become a Partner” page: https://www.coloradogrithockey.com/become-a-sponsor/
We are excited to announce that Wilder Jacober, Bowen Burke, and Payton Miller have been selected to represent GRIT Country in our first season at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. These young men have worked hard all season long & they are excellent examples of what GRIT means to our organization! All players were selected by representatives from the North American Hockey League, but coach Steve Haddon also has a few words to say about the selections.
“Wilder Jacober went through the full process, from Pre-Draft Camp to Main Camp & continues to bring that energy and resilience on a daily basis. Payton Miller is a strong leader to our team & he consistently puts the team first. Bowen Burke is having a strong rookie season & is striving to grow as a player every day.” Player stats are linked below.
So far in the 2023/24 season, the NAHL has fostered 179 NCAA commitments, with more to come, as this tournament is “one of the most highly scouted events of its kind, featuring almost every NHL team and NCAA Division I school” (https://nahl.com/tpt/).
To catch the GRIT in action, come out for our games against the New Mexico Ice Wolves this weekend at the Greeley Ice Haus! These are our ONLY games in Greeley for the next 30 days! Friday doors open at 6:15pm & Saturday doors open at 2:45pm. Tickets available below.
GRIT Tickets
Player Stats
Top Prospects Schedule
Prospects Tickets
Payton Miller (8), Bowen Burke (4), Wilder Jacober (29) All photos by Kristy Lourance Photography
