On Friday night, the Waterloo Wolves received a free, yet
painful, lesson in hockey from the Woodstock Jr Navy Vets, losing 4 to 1, and
seeing what happens when a team plays with effort. The Navy Vets play the right
way and if you show up not ready to work……well ask the Wolve players what
happens.
The coaching staff took a lesson as well and were shown what
happens when you allow shift lengths to spiral out of control. Without taking
control the players looked sluggish and lacked energy. Simply put, they were
playing tired. Something which is unacceptable for the coaches to not adjust
especially when the Navy Vets were rolling with maximum energy shift after shift.
Even worse, the team wasted a fantastic performance from
Mitch Simmons who returned from injury. After Matthew Ball opened the game’s
scoring from Cole Hunsberger, Simmons was making save after save that he had no
business making, doing everything possible to help his team. They let him down
and he deserved better. All the goals against came short handed except the
final empty net goal.
Friday seemed all was wrong in the world of hockey. But, such
as life, things turn around when you learn from your mistakes.
A completely different, rejuvenated, and relentless team
arrived Saturday against the London Jr Knights Green. The Wolves were once
again dominate in the 2 to 1 win. The score doesn’t do justice to how well of an
oiled machine the Wolves team played. How much of the game the Wolves controlled
and how much they learnt from the day before.
Quick learners these players! And not enough respect can be
given to players for their involvement and dedication, not to mention being amazing
teammates.
All season we have seen guys like Jackson McNichol and
Cullen Derry come to the rink and work hard day in and day out. Doing whatever
is asked and never complaining. We have
had players like Caleb Cumming, Cole Ledgister, Griffin Beddis and Ryan Beckner
lead by example. Taking short shifts, playing their hardest and doing whatever
is asked for the team.
It is inspiring for a coach to see his leaders like Tate
Merritt, Matthew Anderson and Carsen Bernhardt go to bat and praise their
teammates over themselves. You have a championship roster when you have guys
like Yianni Peppas fighting hard in practice doing whatever he can to make a
difference. Enough can’t be said when your highest scorers like Connor Palmer
and Jacob Reid-Brant deliver crushing hits because the coaching staff mentions
they need to play tougher. The game is easier for everyone when you have a
Tyler O’Hearn speeding through zones and a Jake Patterson you can count on in
all situations.
The list truly never ends with this team.
Hunsberger opened the scoring for the Wolves against the
Knights from Declan Uniac and Ball before Anderson scored a gorgeous game
winner. Ben Pendleton was once again a rock in net and deserved the win. And
the coaches took a step forward getting back to the basics and utilizing their
roster more effectively.
Accountability from top to bottom. It was a learning
weekend. But, it was also a much needed lesson and another step forward to the
teams end goal….Go Wolves!