The Kelowna Chiefs got an emotional win Friday night.
It was the first home game of the season at the Rutland Arena since the team乌鸦传媒檚 late owner Grant Sheridan died in late July. Sheridan, only 47 years old, was a big supporter of Rutland乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淵ou could really tell it was a celebration of life,乌鸦传媒� said Alex Draper, Chiefs乌鸦传媒� game operations manager and close friend to Sheridan.
乌鸦传媒淲e obviously wanted to win the home-opener, but to win it like that on Grant乌鸦传媒檚 night, you couldn乌鸦传媒檛 even write it like that. With the game, the crowd and the celebration, it was the perfect storm.乌鸦传媒�
Home-opener for nearly full. Rutland out in full force to remember Chiefs乌鸦传媒� late owner and community member, Grant Sheridan.
乌鸦传媒� 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 Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淗e loved his family, his community, he loved the Kelowna Chiefs, the players, the staff and you fans,乌鸦传媒� 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!
乌鸦传媒� 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 year乌鸦传媒檚 dominance where they lost only two regulation games.
The Rutland community was out in full force to support Sheridan and the team.
乌鸦传媒淲e may be called the Kelowna Chiefs but make no mistake, this is Rutland乌鸦传媒檚 team,乌鸦传媒� said Draper.
乌鸦传媒淕rant and the family are loved by so many different facets of the community. It was an amazing night and we乌鸦传媒檙e all still on cloud nine about it.乌鸦传媒�
Kelowna continues their season at the Rutland Arena Saturday night.
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