After last weekend's tournament in Grimsby, the
Black Wolves faced another drive towards the stunning Burlington Bay, steeling themselves for a road
game against the Hamilton Huskies, who sat atop the 16-team AA/A Peewee
Alliance standings.
The Wolves went for the throat from the start, but failed to get a chokehold as two pucks in the Huskies’ net - one on a wraparound and the other a result of digging at the front - were called off by officials. This left the fight open for the Huskies to officially open the score and hold on for a 1-0 win. But the Wolves competed well and by no means left with their tails down.
Saturday, the team visited Kitchener Red, always interesting given the cross-town friendships that have developed amidst the rivalries over the years. The Rangers players might have decided these friendships meant they could take a few liberties, but the refs didn't agree - Red took 7 penalties to the Wolves' 1, despite Red having gone up 2-0 early in the game. Perhaps Red were getting frustrated that despite the apparent ease of their early success, the Wolves' defence and goalie regrouped remarkably, blocking several nice offensive plays to the groans of the Red parents - one poke check by the Wolves' goalie on a Kitchener school mate was particularly satisfying. Or perhaps it was because the Wolves simply refused to take the bait and retaliate for a selfish penalty. Sadly, unlike Red, who scored their first goal on their only power play, the Wolves struggled to create chances during the power plays Red kept doling out, with Red's D blocking many Wolves’ attempts. With two minutes left in the game, and the score still at 2-0, the Wolves' goalie was called back to the bench, and the Jr. Rangers managed to score a 3rd and final goal on an empty net.
The Wolves were then graced on Thanksgiving Sunday by a visit from London Junior Knights Green. With three shots fired at the Wolves' goalie in the first minute, it appeared the Knights might have been irritated at having their turkey dinners delayed by the long drive. The Wolves' goalie remained composed and made some fine saves in the face of the barrage of London shots. There were some outstanding individual plays: notably an impressive PK on which a Wolves player held the puck near London's net for a full 30 seconds with four Knights on him, and the shot and rebound that resulted in a Wolves goal. But the Wolves were overwhelmed 12-1.
That game wrapped up a tough week for the Black Wolves. Hope everyone is enjoying the Monday off, and the short week at school, and will be back and ready for action for next weekend's game.