With a 4 to 2 win over the Brantford 99ers, the Waterloo Wolves
are now undefeated in 10 games riding an impressive 8 straights wins.
It’s hard to believe this is the team that once sat in last
place in the league. During this impressive run the team has scored 40 goals
and allowed only 18 goals against to give them a plus 22 goal differential. In
the regular season, to date with one game remaining, the team has 10 wins for
the second best win percentage and have allowed the fewest goals against in the
league. The Wolves are tied with the Hamilton Huskies for the best goals differential
at plus 15 but have the best goals for percentage at 0.571.
Needless to say, the Wolves have come alive and are playing
the style of hockey the coaches knew they were capable of and are executing in
a way that will lead them to success in the playoffs. Perhaps what is most
impressive is how the Wolves have handled multiply games missing key players
due to injury, sickness, and suspensions. A testament to the team’s depth in
all positions.
The Wolves were down a goal to start before Cole Ledgister
scored the Wolves first goal on a nice feed from Ben Morton. Cole Hunsberger put
the team up a goal from Ledgister and Evan Wallace. Matthew Ball gave the
Wolves a two-goal lead scoring from Jake Patterson and Evan Walsh. The Wolves
went down two players on a questionable call and the 99ers pulled withing a goal,
but Hunsberger ended their hope with his second of the game from Wallace and
Patterson.
Once again, the Wolves had solid goaltending with Sam Miller
making clutch stops throughout the game. Miller was especially sharp down low
making key saves when needed. Miller had help from some exceptional play from
the teams’ defenders. With so many missing players the team was forced to play
Jack Smith at forward most the game leaving Jordan Abbot, Jackson McNichol,
Patterson and Walsh playing big minutes and dominating.
With such a limited number of defenders, the forwards were
asked to dig deep and help them out by playing hard in all three zones and the
players did just that. The team established a strong forecheck in the game led
by Hunter McMurdo, Jack Thompson and Declan Uniac and just as strong a
backcheck with Ledgister really setting the tone early in the game with his
efforts.
Once again there were no passengers, and the same effort
will be needed heading into the final game of the season against the Huskies. The
Wolves have an opportunity to clinch second place with a win and can do no
worse than third place. Amazingly, despite their slump, still have an outside
chance at winning the league with a win Saturday coupled with a tie or loss by
the Huskies in their final game.
Wherever the chips land is irrelevant, however. The
important part is the Wolves are playing their best hockey and are prepared to
beat any team they face in the playoffs and are dead set on their goal of being
Alliance Champions!
Go Wolves!