Steeler goalie Shayan Kermany faced 48 shots during his fifth loss Nov. 8. (Alistair Burns / Grandview Steelers)
Steeler Tanner Milne only one to score for Grandview
BURNABY WINTER CLUB – For two-and-a-half periods, the Grandview Steelers played the perfect home game – take the lead and then limit opposition scoring chances.
But 43 seconds can be an eternity in sports. That time ticking off the scoreboard in the third period made all the difference as the White Rock Whalers came back to win 4-1 on the road Nov. 8.
In the final frame, Whaler Zach Johns alertly noticed that Steeler goalie Shayan Kermany was labouring after a save. Off the next face-off, Johns immediately snapped the puck past Kermany’s outstretched pad to tie the game at 1-1.
Forty-three seconds later, White Rock’s Nathan Bran streaked in on a shorthanded breakaway. His deke roofed the puck into the top corner for the game-winner.
Time to ‘refocus’: Adam
“Just disappointing. Our goalie, Shayan, is playing lights-out the entre time,” Grandview captain Gabe Adam said. “We just need to be better all-around. Play a 60-minute effort.”
Adam himself had a glorious opportunity halfway through the second period when he went in on a shorthanded breakaway. Unfortunately, his attempt to slip the puck in five-hole was foiled by Whaler goalie Mark Paton.
The 19-year-old Grandview captain acknowledged that the Steelers gave up too many shots as the game went on. The Whalers had 33 during the second and third periods against only 15 for the black-and-gold.
Earlier this season, Grandview had won the previous two meetings between these two clubs. At press time, Nov. 9, the Steelers had a record of nine wins and seven losses along with two shootout losses for a total of 20 points – or fifth place in the Tom Shaw Conference. The Steelers are now three points behind the Whalers.
“We just got to refocus. Bring energy to practice and let’s have a better game against Delta on Sunday,” Adam concluded.
Accentuate the positive
On the plus side, Steeler Tanner Milne, 20, was named one of the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s players of the week for Nov. 5. In his past three games, the red-hot Milne has notched nine points. He leads Grandview in scoring with goals (12) and points (18).
Inside Steeltown post-game interview:
Captain Gabe Adam reveals his pick for Grandview’s unsung hero so far in 2023.
