Weekend Wrap-Up Feb. 20, 22
This past weekend the Wolves played two very close games
against Hamilton Blue and Cambridge.
The first of the two games was against Hamilton Blue on Friday night. Heading into the game, Hamilton had yet to lose or tie a game in the playoffs, the Wolves were looking to change that. Both teams came out playing well to begin the first period. However, the Wolves began to carry the momentum towards the end of the period.
They would continue to maintain pressure into the second period. After a few strong shifts, the Wolves were rewarded with a powerplay opportunity, and the team was able to capitalize to take the game’s first lead. A few minutes later, the Wolves were able to score again, this time on even strength, to take a 2-0 lead into the third period.
Heading into the third the Wolves knew that they should be able to win the game if they continued to play well, however, that was not the case. Hamilton would score a powerplay goal of their own with less than five minutes remaining, and would add another at even strength with just over one minute remaining. The Wolves were able to stop the bleeding there, as the game would end with a final score of 2-2.
Although the Wolves knew that they let the win, and a valuable point slip away, they looked forward to playing Cambridge on Sunday. After tying Cambridge in two emotional games already this playoffs, the Wolves looked to keep their emotions in check and skate away with two points. However, the team did not get the start that they had hoped for as Cambridge was able to score only twenty two seconds into the first period. Although, following the quick goal the team continued to get better as the game wore on.
Both teams exchanged chances into the second period when Waterloo was given a powerplay opportunity. Once again the team’s powerplay, which has seen success as of late, was able to score to tie the game at one.
Although both teams would generate scoring chances throughout the remainder of the second and third period, the game was much calmer than expected and would end in a 1-1 tie.
With two ties on the weekend the Wolves currently sit in second in the playoff race with a record of 2-0-4. The team will look to add a couple games to the win column this coming weekend as they play Hamilton Blue on the road on Saturday, followed by Kitchener Red at home on Sunday.