I’m done pussy-footing around. Here are the plain facts and this is desperate, so please start talking about this Revelstoke. I do care about Hockeyville, but I care more about the fate of our Grizzlies. They need our help.

For the last few years, our town has cried foul over the Revelstoke Grizzlies. We’ve collectively stated that we wanted local ownership. Businesses demanded that their outstanding bills be paid off from the previous, ‘absentee’ Grizzlies’ owners. We glorify the old days when the Forum was packed and the best teams were ‘back then’. Have you looked at the KIJHL standings Revelstoke?

Less than a few months ago, our prayers were miraculously answered. Local ownership emerged in Lewis Hendrickson, Joe and Andrew Kozek. They paid off all previous debts and then hired one of the best coaches in Canada right now who is icing a phenomenal product of integrity, skill and grit with our Grizzlies. Then they put together an experienced, focused management team. Oh, did I mention that the Grizzlies are the best team in the KIJHL with a 18-1-1-2 record? I can tell you honestly, that not many of the fans who do come to the Forum ever leave disappointed. So, what’s holding you back?

Here’s the problem in black and white. If more fans don’t start soon showing up, we will not have a Junior B team in the future. The ownership has done everything we as a town has asked, and we haven’t followed through on our part of the bargain. There’s a handful of home games left as well.

Consider for a moment what the major expenses are for a team such as this when you factor in salaries, travel and vehicle expenses, marketing, and equipment costs, and the list goes on.

The Forum has a capacity of around 1,000 people. So, when one tenth of that support base shows up faithfully each week like me, we the faithful stand around at the game scratching our heads and ask the question, “Why aren’t people coming out?”

Think for a moment how demoralizing it must be for the players? For the coaching staff and countless volunteers who care about this team and the history of hockey in our community? For the true, avid hockey fans such as I, well, I’ve followed hockey since 1975 faithfully. I can and will support our Hockeyville bid, but I’m so disillusioned by the way we’re treating the Grizzlies, that that is my immediate focus and a plight that needs a remedy more than an H1N1 vaccine. “We’re trying very hard to give Revelstoke the best product it can get. We’re a community team and we’re an exciting team. I’ll admit it is disappointing to see lacklustre crowds coming out, but I’m trying to stay positive,” says co-owner Mike Roberts.

If we’re truly to have a chance at being a Hockeyville, let’s first start with looking at and supporting our Revelstoke Grizzlies. It needs to start there and filter down to our minor hockey programs and into the community. I equate it to galvanization through sport and it can bring out the best in all of us. Then we can truly state that we are a hockey town once more. The bottom line is, come out to the games, bring a friend, and cheer for the players. Be loud and proud of our town and its history. It is high-quality, intense entertainment for all.

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Now, for a quick review of the double-header on November 13 and 14.

The Friday night game was a good tilt against the large, but not overly talented Princeton Posse. The Grizz didn’t show up in the first period with Princeton forcing two-on-ones and Andrew Parent standing on his head. The Posse came galloping out with a quick power play goal by Evan Stack. Revelstoke came alive in the second with a staggering short-handed goal on some unbelievable, unassisted effort and skill from Captain Lucas Blinkhorn; picking off the puck and streaking in to score and tie the game at one apiece.

The Grizzlies had a pop-fly goal by a surprised Trevor Esau called back on an offside. They woke up when Bruce Silvera slipped in the game-winning goal from Caleb Roy and Riley Spraggs. Then they went on to tally another goal in the period on some impressive offensive flair by rookie defenceman, Riley Gallagher. Jordan Bledsoe added an empty netter to seal the deal in the third period. The hit of the game came when ‘Tiny’ Jakob Reichert laid out Posse player Brody Brewster at his own blue line. The spectacle of the game that’s got the whole town talking was when Dayton Martens and Brody Brewster duked it out; seemingly forever. It was a fair and respectable fight but the unique moment came after when both young men exchanged their respects. This showed how even in the ugliest moments of pugilism; respect, camaraderie and honour are still present and can be taught. Coach Mick was in awe and stated, “That was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen in my entire coaching career and the respect they showed each other after was amazing”. The Grizz still walked out with a 4-1 win.

The Saturday night game was a 6-5 win in overtime for the Princeton Posse. The line of Luke Richardson (4 points this game), and Lucas Blinkhorn, (5 points in this game), and Jordan Bledsoe (5 points in this game), was the decisive factor, but they can’t do it all. The Grizz were up 5-3 early in the third period, but the Posse stormed back to tie the game up with 1:18 left on a goal by vet Dan Hillman. Overtime gave the extra point to the Posse when Jared Hidber netted the winner after Parent had faced 41 shots.

“We came out of the weekend with three out of four points but we’ve got to make sure we don’t let any bad habits creep in,” said coach Mick. “Some very undisciplined penalties hurt us. I counted three five-on-threes in this game. And some guys played average. Our speed, skill and fore-check have to be the focus all the time. We focus on the commitment it takes to play the game our way and how other teams will be gunning for us.”

The next Grizzlies’ home game is Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 against the Sicamous Eagles and they play the Eagles in Sicamous on Friday, Nov. 20. Sure to be a crowd pleaser with such a historical rivalry. Please spread the word and show your support.