Video Revelstoke Grizzlies win heartbreaker; Larry Black, Steven Fiust honoured

The Revelstoke Grizzlies piled on another convincing win, this time a 4-1 defeat of the visiting Chase Heat, but in the end it wasn’t enough.

Going into the third period, hopes were high. Fans anxiously checked tweets from the Sicamous vs. Princeton game. After two in Sicamous, Princeton was ahead 2-1, enough for the Grizzlies to sneak into the playoffs past Sicamous.

The Grizzlies were in command for the majority of the game, and scored three before the Heat responded.

Josh Pilon scored an unassisted goal, finishing fourth on the team point-race with 30. The 16-year-old rookie skated with the first line in the past weeks and showed he’s got a bright future.

Michael Roberts continued to be a force in the final third of the season, scoring two on the evening. Carter Huber continued his solid performance this season and also contributed a goal.

Zachary Fournier scored the only goal for the Chase Heat.

KIJHL Rookie of the Year Steven Fiust (8) in action on Saturday night. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

But with just a few minutes left in the third and the Grizzlies well in command at 4-1, the many fans in the stands who were anxiously clutching smartphones let out grimaces. They were responding to news Sicamous had forced OT and wrote their ticket into the postseason after gaining the one point they needed.

It was a disappointing end to an amazing run and a string of dominant Grizzlies performances since the Christmas break.

The Revelstoke Grizzlies surround goalie Aidan Doak after the game. News that Sicamous had tied for overtime swept over the Grizzlies’ bench just minutes before the final whistle. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

In a post-game interview (see YouTube video above), coach Ryan Parent said he felt the Grizzlies were the best team in the league in late 2015, and predicted the still-young team will be a contender next season.

It seems for certain that standout rookie stars of the team Steven Fiust (60 points) and Tyler Chavez-Leech (59 points) will entertain offers from higher leagues.

But coach Parent is confident they have a young team to build on in the coming season.

18 of the 23 players on the Grizzlies roster were rookies, and several players are Revelstoke natives.

The Grizz have announced their spring camp dates, March 27–29 at the Norval Arena in Armstrong.

Steven Fiust awarded KIJHL Rookie of the Year

In a pre-game ceremony, Revelstoke Grizzlies forward Steven Fiust was awarded the KIJHL Rookie of the Year Award. KIJHL president Bill Ohlhausen was at the game and presented the award to Fiust during a brief pre-game presentation on the ice.

Fiust led the Grizzlies and all rookies in the league in points, notching up 60, just ahead of teammate Tyler Chavez-Leech, who finished second in both categories with 59. Fiust finished seventh overall in points in the KIJHL. (Some Sunday games are still pending, so the final results could change.)

In a pre-game ceremony, Revelstoke Grizzlies forward Steven Fiust was awarded the KIJHL Rookie of the Year Award by KIJHL president Bill Ohlhausen. Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

In a post-game interview (see our YouTube video above) Fiust credited his teammates for the award and discussed his future plans.

Pre-game ceremony honours Larry Black

George Gertzen holds a picture memorializing Revelstoke hockey organizer Larry Black. He is joined by Revelstoke hockey establishment figures, members of the Black family and the Volpatti family. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Revelstoke hockey legend Larry Black was honoured in a pre-game ceremony on Feb. 14.

Black passed away on Dec. 1 in Kelowna at the age of 66.

Revelstoke hockey establishment and many minor hockey youngsters joined Black’s family members for a ceremony on the ice.

Black was a Revelstoke hockey institution. He played here with the Revelstoke Selkirks and then went on to coach minor hockey squads to several provincial championships. He played with the Revelstoke Merchants Sr. men’s team and took home a Coy Cup Championship in 1990-91. Black went on to coach the Revelstoke Grizzlies for seven seasons and won a league championship with the team in 1997-98.

Black then went to scout for the Vernon Vipers and moved his way up to head scout, and helped the Vernon team to two national championships.

Black is credited with helping Revelstoke native Aaron Volpatti achieve his NHL dream via the Vernon Vipers. Volpatti played with the Vipers from 2003–2006 and joined the Vancouver Canucks in 2010 after a collegiate career with the Brown University Bears. Volpatti is in his third season with the Washington Capitals. Volpatti’s parents attended the ceremony and spoke highly of Black’s influence on their son’s hockey career and success.

After Vernon, Larry Black continued on with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks as assistant GM and head scout.

A banner honouring Larry Black was raised to the rafters before the game.

A service for Larry Black was held in Vernon on Dec. 10, 2014.