The 琉璃神社 Chiefs got an emotional win Friday night.

It was the first home game of the season at the Rutland Arena since the team鈥檚 late owner Grant Sheridan died in late July. Sheridan, only 47 years old, was a big supporter of Rutland鈥檚 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.

鈥淵ou could really tell it was a celebration of life,鈥� said Alex Draper, Chiefs鈥� game operations manager and close friend to Sheridan.

鈥淲e obviously wanted to win the home-opener, but to win it like that on Grant鈥檚 night, you couldn鈥檛 even write it like that. With the game, the crowd and the celebration, it was the perfect storm.鈥�

Home-opener for nearly full. Rutland out in full force to remember Chiefs鈥� late owner and community member, Grant Sheridan.

鈥� 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 琉璃神社鈥檚 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.

鈥淗e loved his family, his community, he loved the 琉璃神社 Chiefs, the players, the staff and you fans,鈥� 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!

鈥� 琉璃神社Chiefs (@琉璃神社Chiefs)

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鈥檚 dominance where they lost only two regulation games.

The Rutland community was out in full force to support Sheridan and the team.

鈥淲e may be called the 琉璃神社 Chiefs but make no mistake, this is Rutland鈥檚 team,鈥� said Draper.

鈥淕rant and the family are loved by so many different facets of the community. It was an amazing night and we鈥檙e all still on cloud nine about it.鈥�

琉璃神社 continues their season at the Rutland Arena Saturday night.

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