The Colorado Grit came out swinging and never took their foot off the gas, delivering a relentless 5-2 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves in a game packed with physicality, opportunistic scoring, and sheer determination.

The Grit wasted no time asserting themselves, as forward William Johnson struck just 1:04 into the game, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Ice Wolves. Both teams traded scoring chances throughout the period, with tough board battles and fast-paced play dictating the action. The period came to an end with the Grit ahead 1-0.

New Mexico found a lucky break early in the second when Tim Hewko netted an equalizer off an unfortunate deflection that caught the Grit defense off guard. But just when the Ice Wolves started to build momentum, the Grit answered back with authority. George Poirier buried a beauty less than three minutes later, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and restoring Colorado’s lead at 2-1 heading into the third.

The final frame saw the Grit open up the game. Within a 1:22 span, Lucas Mann and Lucca Ori struck back-to-back, opening up a 4-1 lead and leaving New Mexico scrambling. The Ice Wolvesburied one back thanks to Toivo Laaksonen, but any hope of a comeback was immediately crushed when Ori netted his second of the night, sealing a dominant 5-2 win for the Grit.

Colorado played to their identity—relentless forechecking, and burying the opportunities they created. Looking forward, the Grit will be back on home ice tomorrow in a rematch against the Ice Wolves.