Written by Shawn Thompson
The Wolves had a very successful first round playoff against the Cambridge Hawks defeating them three games straight. Contrary to the three game sweep, it was a very close series.
In game 1, Misha Stastna was extremely strong in net frustrating the Hawk shooters with many top notch saves. This allowed the Wolves to gain an early lead on Kyle Maloney's top corner glove side shot in the first 15 seconds which was assisted by Jaxson Murray. The lead then grew to 2-0 which would be the final score when Jake McDonald scored with assists going to Jaxson Murray and Kyle Maloney.
The series then moved to Cambridge where the Wolves eked out a win by a score of 4-3. This was a character win as the Wolves played shorthanded due to sickness and injury but still mustered the win playing with just 7 forwards. Braydon Hislop scored an unassisted goal to put the Wolves on the scoreboard. The game then went back and forth as Kyle Maloney scored to allow the Wolves to take the lead 2-1 with an assist going to Cooper Way. The Wolves then scored their third goal of the game when Jake McDonald tied the score at 3-3. This allowed for an exciting finish and a wonderful save on a deflection from the point by Marshall Nicholls. Jake McDonald scored his second goal of the game, assisted by Jaxson Murray, which also ended up being the game winner, allowing the Wolves to head back home up two games to none.
In game 3, the Wolves realized the Hawks would be coming out with a full head of steam hoping to prolong the series. Kyle Maloney scored the first goal of the game to put the Wolves up by one on a nifty pass from Jaxson Murray. Jacob Thompson followed that up as he skated around a defender to score the second goal of the game on a cross ice pass from Jake Anderson to up the score to 2-0. That is how the game ended as Misha Stastna held the Hawks at bay throughout the game recording his second shut-out of the series.
The Wolves now move onto to play their cross-town rivals the Kichener Junior Rangers with the first game starting on February 11. Good luck Wolves!