The Kelowna Chiefs got an emotional win Friday night.
It was the first home game of the season at the Rutland Arena since the team91裸聊视频檚 late owner Grant Sheridan died in late July. Sheridan, only 47 years old, was a big supporter of Rutland91裸聊视频檚 team and the rest of the business community.
The Chiefs earned a 5-4 double overtime win against the Chase Heat, a fitting and joyous end to a game set up in memorial to Sheridan.
91裸聊视频淵ou could really tell it was a celebration of life,91裸聊视频� said Alex Draper, Chiefs91裸聊视频� game operations manager and close friend to Sheridan.
91裸聊视频淲e obviously wanted to win the home-opener, but to win it like that on Grant91裸聊视频檚 night, you couldn91裸聊视频檛 even write it like that. With the game, the crowd and the celebration, it was the perfect storm.91裸聊视频�
Home-opener for nearly full. Rutland out in full force to remember Chiefs91裸聊视频� late owner and community member, Grant Sheridan.
91裸聊视频� Mack Britton (@MackBrittonBC)
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The night started with introducing the 2019-2020 Chiefs, who were all wearing Sheridan jerseys in memorial to the late owner. In addition to Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 jerseys, players from the entire Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) will be wearing GS stickers on their helmets throughout the year.
Pastor Don Richmond, alongside the Sheridan family, opened the game with a touching tribute.
91裸聊视频淗e loved his family, his community, he loved the Kelowna Chiefs, the players, the staff and you fans,91裸聊视频� said Richmond.
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In the victory, the Chiefs were led by forward Kayson Gallant, who scored three minutes into the home-opener and was the overtime hero. Gallant finished the night with three goals and one assist.
Myles Mattila and Zane Avery added the other two goals for the Chiefs, while returning netminder Braeden Mitchell made 43 saves.
In Double Overtime, seals the deal with his third goal of the game. Assists to and . Chiefs win!
91裸聊视频� KelownaChiefs (@KelownaChiefs)
It was standing room only by the time the puck-dropped Friday night, with nearly 1000 people in attendance. The Chiefs, coming off a record-breaking season last year, start the season 3-0 and look to continue last year91裸聊视频檚 dominance where they lost only two regulation games.
The Rutland community was out in full force to support Sheridan and the team.
91裸聊视频淲e may be called the Kelowna Chiefs but make no mistake, this is Rutland91裸聊视频檚 team,91裸聊视频� said Draper.
91裸聊视频淕rant and the family are loved by so many different facets of the community. It was an amazing night and we91裸聊视频檙e all still on cloud nine about it.91裸聊视频�
Kelowna continues their season at the Rutland Arena Saturday night.
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