Griz topple Eastern Washington at 2nd Winter Classic

Griz forward Max Toijala (3) looks to shoot in front of Eastern Washington goalie Sam Brasch (31) in the first period of the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz forward Jackson Knutsen (22) shoots in the first period against Eastern Washington during the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz forward Max Toijala (3) pushes the puck into the Eastern Washington zone in the first period of the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz defenseman Teag Wagner Jr. (24) skates into the Eastern Washington zone during the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz forward Eitan Geralnick (21) pushes the puck into the Eastern Washington zone during the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz forward Jesse Belley (18) pushes the puck into the Eastern Washington zone during the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Griz forward Jackson Knutsen (22) readies a shot in the first period against Eastern Washington during the Winter Classic at Woodland Park Ice Rink in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

by JON ALLEN
Staff Writer | January 5, 2025 12:05 AM

For the second straight year Montana hockey is leaving Woodland Park with a win.

The Griz picked up a decisive 6-1 victory over Eastern Washington Saturday at the 2nd Winter Classic.

The victory marked Montana’s third win over Eastern Washington this season; the Griz earned a 12-4 victory in Missoula and a 5-3 decision in Cheney.

Montana coach Mike Anderson hopes to make the trip to Kalispell an annual tradition.

“That’s our plan,” Anderson said. “This is one of the only outdoor sheets in the state that can actually host a game. It’s close to Missoula and the fans have been great, we have great support and we love being here.”

In the inaugural event the Grizzlies defeated Logan Lake, British Columbia 5-2.

Anderson noted that nothing changes in preparation for an outdoor game compared to indoors.

“It’s just hockey,” Anderson said. “I think if you try and overcomplicate it, you get in their heads a little bit.”

Montana forward Eitan Geralnik was impressed with the fan turnout and support for the team in the Flathead Valley.

“It shows the culture they have built here; the fan base we have,” Geralnik said. “Whether it’s home or on the road we always notice the people there. It makes us feel like we are giving a good product.”

The Grizzlies jumped out early as Henry Morrison scored just over a minute into the game on the assist from Geralnik.

“It wasn’t the cleanest game overall, but I think we played well,” Geralnik said. “It’s not easy to sweep a team, nobody ever wants to get swept.”

Montana took a 2-0 advantage into the first intermission as Jesse Belley found the back of the net.

Ben Cremers found the lone goal of the second frame as he put one past Eagles goalie Sam Brasch to make it 3-0.

The teams traded goals early in the final period, after Montana quickly made it 4-0 on a goal from Geralnik.

Eastern Washington answered 87 seconds later as Robby Arver put one home.

Montana closed out the game with two more tallies back-to-back as Alex Neibauer made it 5-1. Then, 71 seconds later Max Toijala put home a breakaway as the Grizzlies cruised to the finish.

“It was a good first game back (from winter break) to get us set for the rest of the year,” Geralnik said. “It was a good win in an outdoor, fun game. We have a tough stretch down the road, so this is a good way to get us started on the second half of the year.”