All together
now…..a sigh of relief!!
If
you had the pleasure of watching the final game of the Waterloo Wolves and London
Jr Knights White series, you saw a game for the ages that was filled with all
the highs and lows you need for a Hollywood production. Even the storybook
ending that featured the Wolves winning 4 to 3 in double overtime.
How
the game went to overtime was as exciting as the overtime itself! But I am
getting ahead of myself.
The Wolves
entered the game determined to win the series and came out flying when Declan
Uniac opened the scoring from Yianni Peppas and Cole Hunsberger. The goal
appeared to break the spirit of the Knights and the Wolves started dominating
the game. However, in period two the Knights responded and evened the score
breathing new life into their team. The Knights then took the lead in the third
before Matthew Ball picked up the puck shorthanded to even the score. The feisty
Knights, however, were determined to upset the first place Wolves and once
again went up in the third period 3 to 2 putting the Wolves season in jeopardy and
setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
With
only 1 minute and 24 seconds remaining in the game and the Wolves goalie pulled
for the extra attacker, Tate Merritt, was sent net front to cause havoc and
bang home any loose pucks. Merritt battled for his team’s life and whacked home
the tying goal with Carson Bernhardt and Ball getting assists.
The
game went into double overtime but only because of Ben Pendleton and his
acrobatic hero saves as he stretched side to side to keep the Wolves alive.
Pendleton was dialed in and his ultra competitiveness was on full display. The
save lifted the whole team’s spirits and gave them extra confidence.
In
the second overtime, Ball was the hero for the Wolves, scoring one of the most
important goals of the season and ending the game!
All
game long the coaches talked about needing contributions from everyone and the
players were all ready and willing to chip in for the team. If it wasn’t Cullen
Derry or Connor Palmer breaking the puck out of danger it was Jake Patterson or
Jackson McNichol crushing players in the corners. Ryan Beckner played another
perfect playoff game hitting everything and being responsible defensively.
Griffin Beddis, Caleb Cumming and Cole Ledgister put in huge time killing penalties.
Tyler O’Hearn embraced the challenge of helping his defender out in the
offensive zone and both Matthew Anderson and Jacob Reid-Brant created scoring opportunities
and were difference makers.
If
this first round was any indication of the hockey we will witness moving
forward we are all in for a treat. The heart of all the players on both teams
was something to see and the players on the Knights should be very proud of how
they battled. The Knights earned the respect of their opponent.
Up
next the Wolves will either face the Kitchener Rangers or the Woodstock Navy
Vets and will need to see how the Navy Vets and London Green series ends. What
we do know is we need to come ready to battle because playoff hockey is the
best hockey!
Go Wolves!