Courtesy/TK Kwiatkowski
Glenwood Springs Grizzlies 18U Hockey shot off to a stellar begin to the 2022 season by way of going undefeated and profitable the forty third Annual Vail Sportsmanship Tournament Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
“One of our team objectives was to get stronger as the tournament progressed,” Grizzlies trainer Tim Cota mentioned. “That objective was certainly achieved on Sunday.”
The Grizzlies gained 5 of six video games performed, tying IND Summit Tigers 1-1 in sport 5 of the event. Glenwood Springs ended the tourney, alternatively, outsourcing their combatants 19-5.
Glenwood Springs got here again and bested Summit 5-1 within the championship sport.
Courtesy/TK Kwiatkowski
Leading scorer for the Grizzlies was once Ryder Rondeau, notching 7 targets and 1 help. Grizzlies goaltender Marek Senn produced a .75 targets towards reasonable and a .969% save proportion.
Grizzlies participant Ian Cole mentioned they advanced during the weekend by way of beginning to end with regards to scoring targets.
“In our first game, we had tons of opportunities to score but could only capitalize twice besides an empty net goal,” he mentioned. “In the finals, we were really putting it all together and managed five (goals).”
Rondeau, becoming a member of Glenwood Springs from Aspen, scored his first function as a Grizzly, which grew to become out to be a sport winner. Cole famous this as probably the most event highlights.
Courtesy/TK Kwiatkowski
Aspen avid gamers had been coming to Glenwood now that its varsity program was once put on dangle this 12 months.
“Our attitude on the bench was fairly good despite not being able to score as much as we could’ve,” Cole mentioned. “I’m looking forward to the next two tournaments to see more competition in preparation for (the) Demon season.”
The Grizzlies began final week’s event with a 3-1 win over out-of-state-team Las Vegas Storm. Glenwood additionally went on to overcome Mullen and Vail at the highway to the championship.
Cota mentioned Glenwood had line-up hindrances to triumph over, with new line friends and adjustments, however the staff treated it in stride neatly and that their adulthood advanced properly.
Courtesy/TK Kwiatkowski
“At times our sense of urgency seemed to be lacking but at one point or another someone was able to bring a spark. Whether that was our tendies, defensemen or forwards, it was definitely a balanced effort.”
Fellow Grizzlies trainer Nick Senn mentioned it was once a really perfect weekend for the staff to begin construction chemistry.
“We now are getting kids from four different school districts, so there is a bit of adjusting to each other,” he mentioned. “It is also exciting going into the season knowing that the Glenwood teams are going to have the luxury of depth of talent that we haven’t had in the past.”
Cole agreed.
“It was exciting to win this tournament because we know we can handle our local competition in the coming high school season and push for a state title this year.”