After
beginning the playoffs with a respectable 1-0-1 record, the Wolves looked to
build on their success, beginning on the road in Cambridge on Saturday,
followed by a home game versus Hamilton White on Sunday.
The Wolves came into Cambridge knowing that, once again, they would be in for a tough game. After losing three consecutive games to the Hawks, the Wolves were able to tie the last contest, and hoped to improve upon that effort. However, the team began the game sitting back, and Cambridge took advantage. The home team would score two goals before the midway point of the first period to take a quick 2-0 lead. It looked like it was going to be a long night for the Wolves, however, after a short time out the Wolves found some life. They dominated play for the rest of the period and were able to score a shorthanded goal to cut the deficit to one. Not long after, the Wolves appeared to tie the game, but a quick whistle by a young referee negated the goal. The Wolves continued to push until the end of the first, but the score remained 2-1.
Feeling much more confident heading into the second period, the Wolves continued to play well. Cambridge had their fair share of chances as well, but goalie Chin kept the team within one. After a number of chances, the team was finally able to put another past the Cambridge goalie with just over two minutes remaining in the period to tie the game.
Riding the momentum, the Wolves were rewarded with a powerplay to begin the third period. The team was able to capitalize quickly, scoring just thirty-two seconds into the period to take their first lead of the game. With time ticking down, the Wolves looked to be in good shape. However, for about a two minute period, the team sat back. Cambridge would take advantage and score two quick goals of their own to regain the lead. However, the Wolves refused to give up. Just, eight seconds after Cambridge took the lead, the Wolves scored again to tie the game. From there, the teams exchanges scoring opportunities in an exciting final five minutes. However, neither team were able to score, as the game would finish as a 4-4 tie.
After a back and forth battle in Cambridge, the team refocused prior to playing Hamilton White at home the following day. The Wolves had lost twice to Hamilton White through regular season play, but had not played their best hockey against their opponent. This time, things would prove to be different, as the Wolves played one of their most complete games of the season. The team began the game with much more intensity than the day before. They took much of the play to Hamilton, spending a large amount of time in the offensive zone. However, the team was unable to capitalize on their chances, with the first period ending with a score of 0-0.
The team continued to play well throughout the second period. They were still unable to score the first goal of the game until just after the midway point of the second period. The Wolves started to put more pucks on the net and were rewarded for their efforts. The team would score two goals in less than two minutes to take a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.
To begin the third, the Wolves remembered what would happen if they had even a short lapse in their play. Building off of the previous game, the Wolves played good defensive hockey. They were able to keep the puck deep in Hamilton’s zone for much of the period and killed off three minor penalties. Goalie LaFlamme made a couple of key saves when called upon and the Wolves added an insurance goal on the powerplay to take the game 3-0.
Following the weekend, the Wolves hold a record of 2-0-2 to begin the playoffs. The Wolves hope to continue their undefeated streak this weekend as they face first place Hamilton Blue at home on Friday, followed by rival Cambridge at home on Sunday.