There was a spirit about the Wolves
as they filed into the Nichols arena, which suggested to the fans in the stands that the
losses of the preceding week were behind them, and they were looking
forward to showing their stuff against the Jr Mustangs White.
From the get-go, the Wolves responded to the Mustangs fast-paced play with poise, keeping the puck mostly out of the Black end despite strong London pressure. The first period ended 0-0, with the Wolves outshot but looking forward to a 2 man advantage to start second, as the officials sent two Mustangs to the corral in quick succession just before period’s end.
The Wolves didn't manage to capitalize on that advantage, but spent much time in London’s zone even after the play returned to full strength, missing on some chances before setting up a beautiful goal on a perfect pass in front of the net, to take a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, London responded with a string of shots from the crease. After some shoving of both puck and players in front of the Wolves’ goal, officials eventually determined that the puck had crossed the line. Spurred into action by the goal, the Mustangs kept up the pressure throughout the last half of the second. But the Wolves’ defense did well reining the Mustangs in, and their forwards forced a number of London turnovers, one of which resulted in Wolves escaping with the puck towards the London net and scoring on a classic shot and rebound combo. So ended an all-action second period, with the shots roughly even between the two teams and the score 2-1 Wolves.
At this point, the ref, apparently deciding things were getting interesting enough that the linesmen who had been officiating since the start of the game might need some support, took to the ice. The rest of the game was thus played with three officials, curiously resulting in some fewer icing calls against the local team, according to some completely impartial observers (Wolves parents). Towards the end of the game, the Mustangs - encouraged from the stands to go hard, baby, hard - threw everything they had at the Wolves, including some decidedly more physical play in front of the Wolves net, resulting in some harrowing moments for the visitors.
The Wolves goalie was down for a minute or so at some point, but this provided an opportunity for the Wolves to breathe and regroup. From then on, the Wolves only got cooler and more determined, lassoing the Mustangs in their own zone, and forcing more penalties by their opponents, including one for too many men on the ice, which blunted London’s offensive capabilities even after they pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Ultimately, the Mustangs were unable to unseat the Wolves, who held on confidently to the buzzer.
This first victory for the Wolves away from home ice in the still young regular season was the result of disciplined and smart teamwork, good forechecking and backchecking, not losing their cool under pressure, and maintaining a high and steady level of energy for the entire forty minutes in the face of a strong, fast and determined opponent. Well done Wolves!