Rivalries are what make hockey. Every sports fan has a
favourite rivalry. In Alliance minor hockey there might be none better than the
one between Waterloo and Kitchener. Two fantastic hockey associations filled
with talent players. In these games it feels like the stakes are higher and the
intensity is electric.
You can feel the energy throughout the game and that energy
helped propel the Wolves to a 5 to 3 win in what was a complete team effort. Each
player on the team contributed and proved their value.
It was Cole Hunsberger who started things rolling for the Wolves
scoring on a great move on a breakaway after being sprung by Declan Uniac. Cole
Ledgister scored an equally beautiful goal undressing the Kitchener goalie from
Hunsberger and Matthew Ball. Speaking of beauty, what a one timer goal from
Jacob Reid-Brant on the power play with Carson Bernhardt and Tyler O’Hearn
earning assists. Tate Merritt continued his power play domination on a unique
all defense 2 on 1 scoring from Bernhardt. Uniac put the game away when he
scored from Hunsberger and Ball.
Playing in back-to-back games due to an injury, Ben
Pendleton was once again a wall for the Wolves. The Rangers had multiple opportunities
with the man advantage and the Wolves goalie was fantastic as always. If Pendleton
wasn’t slowing the game with his glove, he was controlling rebounds to the
corners and taking away any second chances.
One of the things the coaches felt was important when
building its roster was having a balance of finesse and physicality so they
could compete in a variety of ways against teams. This game was a perfect
example of that as it was a rough and physical game and the Wolves never back
down. Caleb Cumming pounded guys into the boards. Merritt delivered a massive
open ice hit. Jackson McNichol was able to box players out in front and made key
hits along the boards. Yianni Peppas got under the Rangers’ skin and showed why
they miss him on their roster. Ledgister was all over the ice crushing people
and instigating.
Matthew Anderson is a unique talent as well in that he plays
physical and strips pucks but also dazzles with his ability to make highlight
reel goals. A great combination of balance. Which is a fitting way to describe
Connor Palmer’s play in the game as well. Palmer was especially effective
killing plays before they had an opportunity to set up.
The coaches talked about the strong power play of the Ranger
before the game and how guys like Griffin Beddis, Ryan Beckner, Jake Patterson
and Cullen Derry would be difference makers shutting it down. Sure, the Rangers
scored with a two man advantage but more often than not the penalty killers
were huge and frustrated the Rangers who struggled at times to set up. These
warriors rose to the occasion and played a massive part in the win.
At the end of the day, as fun a win as it was, the team
needs to build on the momentum and move onto the more important games ahead
including a game tonight in Brantford and a mid-week game against the Hamilton
Huskies. With first place withing striking distance this team needs to step it
up and keep working as hard as they did against their rivals.
Go Wolves!