The Waterloo Wolves U16 players might not have had their season
end exactly how they hoped but they finished their season fighting until the
very final second in a heart breaking 3 to 2 final.
What an amazing season and special team.
With the team down 3 to 1 with under 3 minutes remaining there was a sense that the game was still the Wolves to win. The players instilled that type of belief in the coaching staff. And it almost happened when Jackson Andrews drew his team within a goal at 2:48 left in the game from Cole Ledgister. Ledgister recorded his second point in the game with the assist as he opened the scoring with a beauty from Hunter McMurdo in the second.
All in all, it was a gutsy performance from the Wolves. As has been the case all season Ethan Wasylyshyn and Michael Wei led the way with pushing the team forward and giving the team energy. Griffin Beddis was a constant driving force and created opportunities. The teams top scoring line of Cole Hunsberger, Declan Uniac and Matthew Ball were held off the scoresheet but rang pucks off the crossbar and dominated the game on almost all their shifts. The hockey Gods just had other plans this time around.
Jack Driscoll was steady in nets for his team and was focused on winning all series. Driscoll made game saving stops when needed and was a leader both on the ice and in the room with his calm demeanor.
Defensively the Wolves had a great blend in speed with Jaxon Broda, Riley Webster, Jackson Dietz and Ben Yong all more then capable of jumping into plays and rushing the puck when needed and a nice complimentary skill set of mean and tough defenders in Cooper Gaul and Jackson McNichol who kept the Knights honest in our end.
As hard as it may be to believe, and I will admit bias, this team was the better team most of the series and it was an honor to be part of this amazing group. The mental toughness and never give up attitude had the whole staff extremely proud. Nobody likes second place, and it is a bitter award to win but the team should be proud of themselves.
I would like to thank each and every player on the roster and all the parents who supported this team. Many families volunteered in various ways to help make this a special season. We picked each other up when we were down, and we conquer numerous hurdles and challenges with grace and respect.
See you all in the rink again soon.
Go Wolves!