REGINA – It’s not as big of a battle as which 20-year-old will be the odd overager out with the Saskatoon Blades, but, who will be the backup goaltender behind Logan Flodell with the Bridge City Bunch is a battle nonetheless.
Joel Grzybowski put in a claim Friday afternoon, making 27 saves as the Blue and Gold edged the Swift Current Broncos 3-2.
“I think me and (Nolan) Maier have a really good battle going,” said the 18-year-old Hafford, Sask., product. “I think it’s going to be a grind right to the end. I don’t know if it’s my spot to lose, but I know I’ve got a good chance of making this team after the way I played (Friday).”
Grzybowski was drafted in the 11th round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by the Blades. He was a member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s all-rookie team last season as he posted a 1.66 goals against-average and a .935 save percentage in 26 games with the SJHL champion Battlefords North Stars. His competition for the job, Yorkton, Sask., native Maier, is only 16 and very highly regarded after being taken in the second round, 25th overall, by Saskatoon. In addition, Maier drew rave reviews from Hockey Canada at the World Under-17 selection camp last month in August. However, Maier allowed five goals, while stopping 36 shots, in Friday’s 5-3 loss to the host Regina Pats.
“I liked (Grzybowski’s) game,” said Bridge City Bunch head coach Dean Brockman following the win over Swift Current. “That was probably the best we’ve seen of him in training camp. I thought he was struggling a little bit, but today he was really, really good.”
Only Dom Schmiemann directly off a blue and gold turnover…and Arthur Miller…his pass off of a Blades team-mates’ skate…were able to beat Grzybowski.
Pacman Points – Cam Hebig scored the winning goal at 7:10 of the third period. The 20-year-old’s second goal in as many games was short handed. Logan Christensen, on a second period power play, and Arjun Atwal also tallied for Saskatoon, who now sit 1-1-0 in the preseason. The Bridge City Bunch out-shot Swifty 32-29, were 1-for-6 on the power play and killed off 8-of-9 Broncos’ man advantages.
Hebig, Mark Rubinchik, Cole Johnson, Bradly Goethals, Josh Paterson, Jackson Caller and Maier were the only members of the Blue and Gold to suit up in each of the first two pre-season games. Flodell wasn’t in uniform for either game while forwards Lukus MacKenzie and Tyler Lees are sidelined by Upper Body injuries.
With most WHL experts and observers believing that the East Division will have Regina and Moose Jaw battle for first and second place, that leaves the remaining four teams to battle for the guaranteed third post season spot and possible wildcard playoff berths. That would include the Blades and Swift Current.
As a result, both teams iced some fairly serious line ups Friday. All 18 of Saskatoon’s skaters had played in at least one WHL regular season game. The total was 1,419 games played amongst those 18 skaters, or 78.83 games per player. For the Broncos, only 16-year-old forward Nolan Corrado had never played a WHL regular season game. But, back-up goaltender Bailey Brkin did. The 18 Swifty players accounted for 1,085 regular-season games of experience, or 60.28 games per player.
Ironically, both of Friday’s goaltenders — Grzybowski of the Blades and Joel Hofer of the Broncos — have never played a WHL regular-season game.
Among Friday’s scratches were Flodell, defencemen Jantzen Leslie and Seth Bafaro plus forwards Braylon Shmyr, Kirby Dach and Gage Ramsay for the Bridge City Bunch; goaltender Taz Burman, defenceman Colby Sissons plus forwards Glenn Gawdin, Kaden Elder and Conner Chaulk for Swift Current.
The Blades are back in pre-season action Sunday when they visit the Prince Albert Raiders for a 1 p.m. matinee.
