The Minor Atom Selects kicked off the 2012-13 campaign with a hard earned win. With members of the OHL's Guelph Storm in attendance after completing practice, the team came out of the gate flying, scoring just over two minutes in on a beautiful end to end rush started by Ethan McBain as he fed defenseman Eric Lacey for the breakout to go up 1-0.
The team carried the momentum and onslaught of shots into the second period and went up 2-0 on a great crash to the net by the line of Andrew Yang, Wesley Evans and Aiden Fox leading to Yang's first goal of the season. Goaltender Jack Langlois continued to be solid until James Smith entered the game halfway through the frame. The tide appeared to be changing as Guelph began to mount the scoring chances forcing Smith to be tested quickly but the Storm could not beat the second half of the "Stonewall Duo" of Langlois and Smith.
The Jr. Storm continued to press as the final period began and they quickly scored two good goals to tie the game. However, the team would not be discouraged and turned the intensity up a notch dominating the Guelph end once again. After beginning the game at an uncomfortable position Aiden Shah was moved to forward as Grady Simpson switched with Shah to reduce his skating workload after experiencing leg discomfort. This move proved to be a turning point in the hard fought contest as Shah went on to score a highlight reel type goal going post-and-in on the Guelph goaltender and putting the young Wolves up 3-2.
The lead would be short lived as the Storm won the ensuing faceoff and quickly rushed down the ice to tie the game. The Wolves were not done however and the team began to yell out words of encouragement from the bench as they were focused on starting the season off on a winning note. Brenden Labrie headed off to the penalty box on an incidental body checking penalty with 3:38 remaining in the game but the pressure in the Guelph end did not cease. With just over two minutes remaining Shah and linemates Simpson and Connor Moorley began a mad scramble in front of the Guelph net leading to another rocket shot along the ice by Shah, putting the Storm away for good and leading to Shah being awarded the team's first Player of the Game puck.
A special thank you goes out to all of the parents for their great support and fellow AP players Jacob O'Malley and Aidan Chapman for coming out and cheering on their fellow teammates. The coaching staff is very proud of their young players and look forward to their next contest in Cambridge on November 6.