The Burnaby-based Grandview Steelers started their season on a high last week.
The Junior B team opened their season on the road against Richmond rivals the Sockeyes on Sept. 10.
Richmond hit the ice strong, and by the end of the second period were leading 2-0.
But then the Steelers’ Adam Rota scored in the opening minute of the third period breaking the shutout.
Richmond retaliated quickly, scoring a third goal shortly after Rota. Two more goals by the Steelers would bring the score to an even three goals apiece, and force the game into overtime.
But it wasn’t until the second overtime that Grandview secured its 4-3 win with a goal by Timothy Chow in the last two minutes of the extra period.
On Sunday, the Steelers were back on home ice for the season’s home opener against the Port Moody Panthers.
This game was altogether different than the previous matchup against Richmond. This time the Steelers dominated the action, scoring timely goals to put them ahead early on, head coach Aldo Bruno told the NOW.
Braeden Gurney opened the scoring midway through the first period, followed by two goals in the second period from rookie Jeffrey Wong, scoring his first junior career goal, and Rota, with his second goal of the season.
Goaltender Cole Mac-Innes had a stellar game as well, stopping all 20 shots on net and helping hold on to the Steelers’ 3-0 lead over the Panthers through to the end of the game.
“Any time a goaltender gets shutout, you know he’s done something right, but I think it was really an overall team game,” Bruno said.
Everyone doing their part to shut down Port Moody, he added.
“It’s important because you can’t always rely on one or two guys,” Bruno said. “You’ve got to have a balanced offence and it’s got to come from everybody.”
The Steelers are back on the road this Thursday taking on Langley, after NOW deadlines, and on Sunday they’ll be back at Burnaby Winter Club to face off against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, who’ve won two of three season games so far this season.
Puck drops at 4 p.m.
