Sep 27, 2024 | Game Recap, News
Winger Nicholas Noble potted a game-winning goal with three seconds remaining in regulation to lift Colorado to a 3-2 victory over Chippewa today at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN. The Grit also saw a power play tally from Alex German and Willy Johnson’s first NAHL goal.
With the win, the Grit improve to 2-1-1-2 and 3rd in the South Division with 7 points.
NOTES
The Grit had a franchise record 18 consecutive successful penalty kills snapped in the 2nd period with the Steel’s second goal; their previous record had been 12.
Lucca Ori’s two assists in today’s game give him six for the season, leading the South Division in assists and 8th in the NAHL.
Goaltender Pete Sterling earned his first win as a member of the Colorado Grit, making 27 saves on 29 shots. It’s the first time in seven starts that the netminder received more than one goal of support.
The Grit are now 4-0-1-1 in six games in Blaine; all but two have been one-goal contests. On the season, the Grit have already played in four one-goal contests and at this rate would play 38 one-goal games in 24-25.
Sep 24, 2024 | Game Recap, News
Forward Nicholas Noble scored his first two goals of the year, but the Colorado Grit dropped a 5-2 decision against the Amarillo Wranglers at the Greeley Ice Haus on Friday night.The Colorado Grit battled out a tough first period with the Amarillo Wranglers, who got the scoring started for the night. With 7:58 on the scoreboard, left wing Trace Day scored when he took advantage of a shooting lane in the low slot and buried the puck past Grit goaltender Jack
Erickson to give Amarillo a 1-0 lead. The two teams renewed hostilities after a physical 12-game season series last year when Amarillo forward Divyne Apollon was ejected for engaging in disorderly conduct and removing his helmet while initiating a fight with Grit defenseman Evan Smutney about half way through the first period. For the second game running, the Grit found the back of the net in the final minute of the first period. With 53 seconds to go in the frame, Nicholas Noble was able to score with the nifty behind-the-back pass and assist from Luke Helgeson going cross-crease to find the waiting Noble on the back door to tie the game, 1-1.
The second period became a penalty killing exhibition between two of the best penalty killing teams in the league, as the Wranglers killed off one penalty and the Grit killed off two. The two squads finished a combined 0-for-11 on the man advantage when the night ended. It was an even strength tally from the visitors that pushed them back in front. With 14:36 left on the clock, Amarillo’s forecheck from Carl Jacobsen allowed him to push a pass into the low slot where winger Corson Maguire scored his first goal of the season as he teed a slap shot past Erickson to give Amarillo a 2-1 lead.
In the third period, the Wranglers once again got the scoring started as rookie Carl Jacobson jumped behind goaltender Jack Erickson on a rebound, successfully getting his first junior goal with 15:10 to play and extending Amarillo’s lead, 3-1. The media timeout proved The Grit took a timeout with 11:38 left on the clock. Right after the timeout, center Willy Johnson pushed a faceoff win towards Noble, who rifled a shot past the glove of Amarillo netminder Charlie Zolin and brought the Grit back within one, 3-2, with 11:35 to play.
Exactly 90 seconds later, the Wranglers found their response when Trace Day, who finished with two points, wheeled a cross-ice pass to an open Andrew Morton to slam the puck into the back of the net and restore the two-goal advantage, 4-2, with 10:05 remaining. Jack Erickson. Amarillo notched their final tally with 7:06 to play when a shot from Salvatore Cerrato snapped his stick and the puck rolled to edge of the crease; rookie Nolan Davis got two whacks at the rebound and pushed the puck into the net for his first goal of the season to give Amarillo the 5-2 lead that they would carry to the final buzzer.
Sep 18, 2024 | Game Recap, News
The Grit scored a late tying goal in the third period, goaltender Jack Erickson made 34 saves, but Colorado fell 3-2 in a shootout to El Paso on Friday night in Greeley.
Colorado got the scoring started just over three minutes into the period. Defenseman Braden Junker scored the home opening goal on a wrist shot from the top of the zone that pinged off the post and in and the Grit had the lead, 1-0, just 3:22 into the game to kickstart the 2024-25 season. Rhinos forward Rasmus Nousiainen quickly scored two goals, at 4:24 and 10:15, to give El Paso their first lead of the night, 2-1. The Rhinos retained the lead into the first intermission.
Despite no goals in the middle period, a physical tenor took over. Both teams took multiple penalties in the middle frame, with the teams finishing a combined 12-for-12 on the penalty kill. The nastiness came to a head with 8:38 remaining in the period when newcomer Grit forward Kennan Reyelts and Rhino defenseman Lawson Kimble tossed down the gloves in the Grit defensive zone and exchanged punches. Both players were given a fighting major and head contact misconduct and the officials restored order down the stretch in the second period.
Colorado found their equalizer late in the third period. Reyelts completed his remaining time in the penalty box and the fresh legs were key in the Grit’s game-tying tally. Reyelts swung a puck in front of the net and El Paso goaltender Michael Manzi made one of his 36 saves, kicking the shot aside. The rebound made its way to Sheldon Rioux, whose first goal of the year tied the game with 5:23 to play in regulation.
In the overtime session, the Grit had to fend off two power play opportunities for El Paso. Colorado netminder Jack Erickson made a pair of tremendous saves, finishing with 32 stops, and sending the game to the shootout. The second Rhino shooter, Ryder Many Gray Horses, pushed a shot to the glove side over a prone Erickson for the lone tally in the shootout to get El Paso the extra point.
Box Score
1st Period
(COL) – Junker (Ori, West) – 3:22
(ELP) – Nousiainen (Solano, Gentzler) – 4:24
(ELP) – Nousiainen (Kimble, Kavc) – 10:15
2nd Period
No Scoring
3rd Period
(COL) – Rioux (Reyelts) – 14:33
Overtime
No Scoring
Shootout
ELP:
Tuomiokska: MISS
Many Gray Horses: SCORE
Nousiainen: MISS
COL:
Ori: MISS
Smutney: MISS
Poirier: MISS
Special Teams:
ELP
Power Play: 0/7
Penalty Kill: 5/5
COL
Power Play: 0/5
Penalty Kill: 7/7
Apr 12, 2024 | Home Page, News
Jan 26, 2024 | Home Page, News
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/
Jan 19, 2024 | Home Page, News
NAHL TOP PROSPECT SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
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
