It was one of those nights where you just knew the first goal was going to be a big one. But who would score it? Curtis has all the details...
Good evening folks, and welcome to the Fort Erie Tournament edition of the Waterloo Sports Network. Unfortunately there is a temporary blackout on tournament reporting if you are staying within a 32km radius of the triangulation between a random 3 of the 4 host arenas. But don't despair. Instead we have the highlights of the final regular season game from this past Tuesday, April 9th, where the Wolves once again played the Cambridge Hornets. Back in December the Wolves destroyed them 5 to 1, then in January it ended in a 2 - 2 tie. Let's see what happens this time.
On this night the boys played at the Columbia Rain Fields where the Waterloo Warriors normally play. For the specators who found $5 in change for parking there were no concerns; those who did not, risked a caning from the UW Parking Authority. Now let's have a look at the game's highlights.
Emmett takes the start and is seen here getting into a Zen place. Or maybe he's just thinking about the day's stock market results. Or cheese strings. Either way, he looks ready. In the first minute Ian makes a classic end-run from crease to crease after a dandy steal, but the shot is saved. It isn't long before Brody and Jeremy also take their turns making shots, but all saved by a hot Cambridge goalie. Later in the first period, Johnny strips the puck off a Cambridge offensive player and sends it back to their end. Braden does the same, which highlights the depth of Waterloo's defensive ability tonight. Here's a nice looking play as Josh stick-handles it deep, passes to Tristan, he takes a look, then a shot, but can't get it past the Cambridge wall. With only 8 seconds left in the period, Jeremy flies down the middle, deeks to the left, aims for the long side, and....DENIED!
In the second period we see Cambridge going on a rush, but Justin swishes it away as if swatting at a fly. Halfway through the period we have the usual goalie switch, and Chris gets tested early without any difficulty. There's an odd-man rush coming into the Waterloo end, a pass out front, Chris slides into position and stops it handily. Also in the period we see Curtis getting control of the puck, lobs a Hail Mary from the point, but the Cambridge goalie stops it again.
Starting the third period, the Wolves are on the defensive as they kill off a penalty, but they manage it with ease. Just over four minutes into the period, we have a Waterloo play coming together. Casey tips it over to Spencer, then to Brody. Brody, strong as ever, stick-handles around most of the Cambridge team then fires a wrist shot that's all net. A real beauty, finally putting one of the teams on the board, which happens to be the only goal of the game, Waterloo winning 1 to 0. But don't assume there wasn't any drama during the rest of the game. Later in the period, here's a scramble in the Waterloo end, Chris makes a save, the rebound slips out, another shot, then Cambridge gets it again and sends a Howitzer of a slap shot but Chris gets his body in front of it to finally stop the play. Then it's the Chris Show right to the end, with him making a save with only 3 seconds to go. This game showcased the best of what the Wolves can do: strong offense, tenacious defense, and stellar goaltending.