Grizzlies start Inagural season with a bang!

Orange County, CA.

An exciting weekend unfolded for the California Grizzlies as they hit the ice for the first time in franchise history for an exhibition contest against the visiting out of town Las Vegas Wranglers to kick off the 2024-25 Western Professional Hockey League Exhibition Season! It was a special weekend marking the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of hockey in southern California and the Grizzlies did not disappoint. The Grizzlies ended up sweeping the weekend series winning both games by scores of 10-2 the first night and then 11-4 the second.

Key players that contributed to the Grizzlies on ice success both nights would include Head Coach and captain Tyler Maxwell, power forward Sean Reynolds and tough, offensive defensemen Tyler Sybil. Maxwell who himself, chipped in 2 goals with 9 assists over the weekend, guided the Grizzlies with skillful precision to victory while demonstrating what it means to lead by example. Meanwhile, Reynolds had the hot hands as he lit the red lamp 7 times while assisting on 3 goals. Sybil also logged a couple of points putting up 1 goal and 2 assists for the weekend but it was his participation in the first hockey fight in California Grizzlies history that stole the show as he capped off the Grizzlies dominance in physicality along with the scoreboard. Other notable performances came from defensemen Andy White who also put up multiple points while defending the Grizzlies physical honor as did forward Kenny Kurtkan.

The California Grizzlies move to 2-0 in play for the 2024-25 WPHL exhibition season and while the Grizzlies outscored their opponents 21-6 in the opening weekend, there is still much work to be done in order to elevate the Grizzlies' game as their quest for the Pacific Cup gets underway. Coach Maxwell has high expectations for the Grizzlies going into this season as the Western Professional Hockey League continues to grow the base of on-ice talent every single night.

"In order to compete with the high level of hockey that's (the League) being put out, guys are going to have to continue to work hard and battle to earn there spots on the Grizzlies' game day line-up..." Maxwell said of his guys. "Nothing is guaranteed at any level so its going to be important that guys show up really ready to play and compete...That compete level has to be there in every shift and in every rep at practice."

The California Grizzlies continue exhibition play next on December 6 & 7 which will also be the weekend the California Grizzlies host its First Annual Toy Drive where fans who bring a toy to donate can receive $5 off their ticket of admission. In affiliation with Medina Boxing Gym, the Grizzlies will collect toys on behalf of Friends Church Orange and Youth Centers of Orange's Annual Santa's Workshop who will then distribute the donations throughout the community as Christmas cheer draws near. This should be an electrifying rematch as the Wranglers come back to town with a breath of new life, looking to avenge opening weekends' agonizing defeat.

Stay tuned to Grizzly News as well as the California Grizzlies Social Media for more promotional offers and discounts to the Official Toy Drive weekend of the California Grizzlies when they take on the Las Vegas Wranglers December 6 & 7 at the Grizzlies home practice facility at 7:30 pm.