An elite powerplay unit and solid goaltending performance power the Grit to a 4-2 win over the Odessa Jackalopes Saturday night at the Greeley Ice Haus. 

The Grit came into the game looking to bounce back, currently sitting at 14-17, one seed out from playoff contention. The Jackalopes look to sweep the weekend series and continue increasing their playoff hopes, currently at 17-16. 

Odessa got the scoring going early as defenseman Caden Morgan buried a snapshot from the left point only 3:59 into the game. The Jackalopes dominated early in the first period, but the Grit got back on track on the powerplay as Grit defenseman Luke Helgeson tipped home a shot from Lucca Ori on only the second shot of the game for Colorado. The game got chippy as a scrum in the corner led to offsetting penalties and for Odessa forward Chistian Tavare to be ejected from the game. Both goaltenders locked down the nets for the remainder of the period, sending the game to intermission tied at one apiece. 

This game marked the first career NAHL start for Colorado goaltender Nolan Francis. Out of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Francis looked to leave a mark in his first chance between the pipes. Saving 30 out of 32 shots, Francis made huge saves throughout the night, including shutting the door on a breakaway in the second to keep the score even, along with a huge glove save in the third to preserve the lead.  The Grit defense dominated, holding the Odessa powerplay to scoreless(0/6).

Fresh off of a dominant penalty kill, Grit forward Sheldon Rioux buried the wrist shot on a two on one to open the second period scoring early making the score 2-1. The lead was short lived however as less than a minute later, the Jackalopes answered back again as defenseman Shea Barry deflected home the equalizer on a shot from forward Nicholas Puricelli.

Boos rained down from the crowd as for the second night in a row, the Grit had a goal waived off by the officials. Boos quickly turned to cheering as Grit defenseman Evan Smutney ripped home a powerplay goal with 4:39 left to play in the period. In a period filled with penalties, the Grit entered the locker room with a 3-2 advantage. 

Grit Defenseman Alexander German made his return to the lineup tonight and made an instant impact, registering an assist and several big hits throughout the night. 

The third period was a back-and-forth battle dominated by the goalies. Despite power play opportunities from both teams, neither team was able to open the game up. The Grit defense held on in the final minutes and buried an empty-net goal to end the game 4-2 and even the weekend series. 

Looking forward to next weekend, the Grit will take on the Shreveport Mudbugs on January 31