Quick bursts and a strong showing from each line set the tone, as the Grandview Steelers made it seven wins and counting.
The Pacific Junior B Hockey League squad powered past Port Moody 7-2 on Sunday at the Burnaby Winter Club, blitzed ahead with four quick goals and stood their ground in a penalty-fest over the final 30 minutes.
Never in doubt, the contest featured seven different scorers for Grandview as the club continued to round into form after a sluggish start to the season.
“We’ve had a bit of better luck at getting the puck past the goalie, but we’ve played extremely well lately and got lots of contributions from everybody,” remarked coach Stefan Matic. “When we can score first, we seem to keep that momentum for a while.”
The Burnaby-based Steelers did just that, starting with Anthony Benevoli’s fifth of the season six minutes in, followed 53 seconds later with Brodie Crawford’s first with Grandview. Barely 1:24 later Mateo Coltellaro counted his eighth of the year, while seven seconds was all it took for Ian Prevost to make it 4-0, with his team-leading ninth goal.
All told, the four goals came in a span of 2:23, and chased Port Moody starting goalie Thomas Watts from the net.
In the middle frame, recently acquired Connor Alderson netted his second in as many games since coming over, with Crawford, in a swap with the Richmond Sockeyes. Rookie William Hazell-Penaluna and Emerson Kostner also tallied.
“We’ve definitely simplified things in our game and are not chasing after pucks as much,” Matic said in comparison to the first few weeks of the season, where the Steelers posted a 1-3-0-1 record. “We generated plenty of scoring chances during our losing streak but couldn’t put it in the net. Now we’re getting goals, and it’s pretty balanced.”
Tempers flared in the second and third period, with the Panthers drawing 49 penalty minutes and three of four misconducts handed out.
Second-year backstop Cale Dolan turned aside 27 shots, lowering his goals against average to 2.11.
As it has been throughout the streak, the team’s netminding has been very sharp, said Matic.
“Our goaltending has been very good, and I think getting (Dolan) back helps. He’s played very well, as has Matteo Petrelli, and the rest of the team gains confidence knowing they’re there.”
The additions of Alderson and Crawford – who joins younger brother Jameson – in a swap that sent 20-year-old veteran Braedan Gurney to Richmond has also worked out.
“Both of them have fit in really well and bought into the system,” said the coach. “They were able to step right in and both have contributed offensively.”
Extending the win streak this week will be a true test, as Grandview plays rival Richmond in a home-and-home set, starting Thursday in Richmond.
It’s a match-up that will be a good gauge on just where the club can improve, said Matic.
“It’s going to be two extremely tough games and a chance to see where we’re at.”
The two teams go at it again Sunday, 7:15 p.m. at the Burnaby Winter Club.
