The Minor Atom AAA Wolves have advanced to the Alliance
of Ontario championship final series with their semi-final series win over the Elgin Middlesex
Chiefs. The Wolves will be facing their season rivals, the Kitchener Junior Rangers in the
Alliance Finals.
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs were outshot in every game. Eventually the Wolves balanced attack with scoring contributions from everyone, a tight team defense against some very skilled individual Chief players and stellar playoff goalkeeping when we needed it were the keys to the series. This series defined what it meant to be a team.
In game 1 the Wolves came out flying, scoring two quick goals to silence the hometown Chiefs fans. As the game wore on the Wolves allowed the Chiefs to climb back into the game, going to overtime and seeing it end in a 4-4 tie. Goal scorers were Preston Young, Brayden Hislop, Kyle Maloney and Jaxson Murray. Assists went to Jacob Thompson (x2), Preston Young, Jackson Murray, Owen Parsons and Jake Anderson.
Game 2 saw the Wolves begin much like game one with an early goal to take the wind out of the Chiefs sails. This time the Wolves didn’t relent, taking down the Chiefs in a convincing 7-2 victory. Goals were scored by Kyle Maloney (x3), Preston Young, Cooper Way, Jake MacDonald and Owen Parsons. Assists went to Jacob Thompson (x3), Kyle Maloney, Austin Stemmler, Jake Anderson, Spencer Young, Preston Young, Kyle Cupolo, Jaxson Murray and Brayden Hislop.
In game 3 the Wolves were dominant once again, controlling every aspect of the game and winning by a score of 5-2. Goal scorers were Spencer Young (x2), Jacob Thompson (x2), and Jake MacDonald. Assists went to Cooper Way (x2), Jacob Thompson, Jake MacDonald and Ryan McGeown.
The stage was set for the Wolves to take the series in game 4. The Chiefs knew their back was against the wall and definitely raised their play. This time it was the Chiefs turn to take an early lead. At many points during the game the Wolves would climb within striking distance but just weren’t able to match the Chiefs effort, losing by a score of 8-4. Goals went to Spencer Young (x2), Kyle Maloney and Jacob Thompson. Assists went to Spencer Young, Kyle Maloney, Luke Ronson, Austin Stemmler, Jake MacDonald and Jake Anderson.
So it was on to game 5 and the second chance for the Wolves to clinch the series. This game saw the Wolves battle through the entire game and ended up with a hard fought 3-1 win for the series victory! Goal scorers were Owen Parsons, Jake MacDonald and Spencer Young. Assists by Brayden Hislop, Jaxson Murray and Cooper Way. Defensive corps in particular had a great bounce back game from game 4, only allowing the offensively talented Chiefs 10 shots on goal the entire game.
Rock-solid goaltending from Misha Stastna and Marschall Nicholls, team defence and a balanced scoring attack were the key elements in eliminating the Chiefs. Keep up the amazing team work boys!
Go Wolves Go!!!