Nothing worth having
comes easy, they say.
This couldn’t be truer for the Waterloo Wolves U16 team to date in these Alliance finals. The team opened the series with a heart-breaking loss in a game they played much better then the 6 to 3 score indicated. But the players responded and played a near perfect game in game 2 only to have a late goal against force a tie. Such an occurrence could deflate a team, yet the players marched forward confident only to find themselves back in London down 3 to 1 in game 3 with 3:19 left in the third period and nearing a series death blow.
Surely, this would be the time the players would hang their heads and accept defeat.
Not the Wolves.
Not even close. In fact, the players on the bench kept telling each other they got this…..the game was theirs. Then, all their hard work, dedication and heart was reward.
Hope was given when Declan Uniac pulled the team within a goal from Matthew Ball. Then, with the goalie pulled and an extra attacker the clock ticked away until only 27 seconds remained, and Ball got the puck on his stick from Griffin Beddis and Uniac and tied the game!
Overtime settled nothing, thanks in large part to Jack Driscoll who made the save of the game against a 2 on 1 in the final moments of the overtime. Driscoll has battled hard for his team and has made clutch stops in times of need all series.
Another clutch play was when the Wolves were down 2 to 0 in the game and Ethan Wasylyshyn breathed air into the teams sail with his goal from Michael Wei. The pair along with Jackson Andrews has had the bulk of the penalty killing and has been a tremendous checking line that chips in goals, battles hard and tires out the opposition. Hunter McMurdo is another player who has been instrument in battling hard and keeping his team motivated.
Cooper Gaul played one of the best games of his season. He was in the Knights face and used his body to win battles and make zone entries difficult. Jackson McNichol, Ben Yong and Jackson Dietz have all put in big minutes killing penalties and battling hard for their team. Perhaps the teams most impressive defender has been Jaxon Broda who has rushed the puck, played both special teams and elevated his play all series. We can’t forget Riley Webster who has quarterbacked the powerplay and looked excellent as well.
With the goalie pulled the team put Cole Ledgister out on the ice. Ledgister had game 3 and 4 game winners and has a knack of raising his play when it matters most. He did not disappoint and ensured the Wolves team had position and the opportunity to win the game.
Game 1 Scoring Summary: Cole Hunsberger goal from Ball and Uniac. Ball goal from Hunsberger. Uniac goal from Ball and Broda.
Game 2 Scoring Summary: Broda goal from Ball. Beddis goal from Wasylyshyn. Ball goal from Broda.
The Wolves head into the game tonight knowing full well a loss to the London Jr Knights would end their season. The players know they need a win. It is time they even the series and head to London afterwards looking to claim their Alliance banner.
These players have shown so much heart and determination their coaches know no matter what they will battle to the bitter end and have made their coaches confident they have it in them to take the series.
Go Wolves!