Hockey has an abundance of cliché we use to describe the
play of the game. There were endless possibilities to use in the Waterloo Wolves
season opener. However, the most fitting could be, the score, a 3 to 1 Waterloo
win over the GLHA Jr Mustangs, didn’t tell the whole story.
The Wolves dominated possession and created scoring chance after scoring chance. Perhaps it was best described on the team’s parent chat, “shots were a bajillion to 12”. Credit must go to the London goalies who played a fantastic game. The starting goalie was peppered so frequently he pulled a groin and the next goalie saw just as much rubber.
Matthew Ball opened the scoring for the Wolves with the first goal of the season for the team from Jake Patterson. Ball raced down the wing and fired a nice shot over the Mustang goalie’s glove. Jacob Reid-Brant positioned himself nicely in the slot and capitalized on a loose puck after Caleb Cumming and Tyler O’Hearn cycled well and caused endless turn overs. The insurance marker was from Connor Palmer who read the play perfectly and drove the net as Cole Ledgister placed a beautiful shot pass off the goalie’s pad to make the goal possible.
Mitch Simmons has solid in the Wolves net when called upon as well. Simmons gives little to no second chances and remained focused all game.
The team was anything but perfect but that is to be expected in the first game of the season with little time to work on systems. That said, the players chemistry and comradery was already showing and gave the coaches something to get excited about early.
The hockey IQ was evident and players like Cullen Derry, Matt Anderson and Ryan Beckner have so much poise with the puck. Down low players like Cole Hunsberger, Griffin Beddis and Declan Uniac toyed with defenders and caused frustration. And that frustration was on full display in the 3rd period when the Mustangs tried to intimidate the Wolves playing extra physical. That approach doesn’t work against this team. The Wolves are skilled and fast but have size and strength. Tate Merritt and Yianni Peppas were generals on the ice making sure the play was honest. Carson Bernhardt was tough as nails when needed and controlled the play all game. Patterson gave a nice stiff arm to set the tone and Jackson McNichol laid several crushing hits in the game.
It is clear the Wolves have the make up of a solid team and the drive to build towards their goal to win the Alliance Champions and march into Kitchener to take the OHFs this season. If the players stay humble and work hard there will be nothing that can stop them.
Go Wolves!