When
the final buzzer sounded there was both a sense of accomplishment and a sense
of relief.
The
game was much tighter then the 5 to 2 final score indicated for the Waterloo
Wolves. The Kitchener Jr Rangers played with pride and gave all they had fighting
against elimination. The Rangers even held a 2 to 1 lead at one point. However,
the Wolves were just as determined and when this team is dialed in there is no
stopping them.
Mitch
Simmons picked up a huge win for his team. Simmons dove across his crease
several times to stone the Rangers on the back door and gave the Wolves a
calming presence as he gobbled up loose pucks and steered shots out of harms
way. Simmons put in one of his best performances of the season.
Tate
Merritt got the Wolves on the board first from Connor Palmer. Matthew Ball
added a pair of goals with his first from Matthew Anderson and his second from
Declan Uniac. Ryan Beckner continued his hot play in the playoffs scoring from
Tyler O’Hearn and Caleb Cumming. And finally, Yianni Peppas put the game and
series to rest with his goal.
There
was so many plays in the game that made a difference its hard to really pin
point them but Griffin Beddis blocking two shots in a row on the penalty kill
and Cole Ledgister winning board battles with the Rangers goalie pulled stand
out. So does the way Carson Bernhardt patrolled the defensive zone, or how Jake
Patterson protected the front of his net. There was also Jackson McNichol
playing tough in the Wolves end, Cullen Derry returning to play defense and using
his speed to get the puck effectively up the ice. There was Jacob Reid-Brant
creating scoring chance after scoring chance with his creative play as well.
The
coaches have praised the depth on the team and the skill top to bottom all
season. It was rewarding to see all the players step up and contribute to the
team success. The players have bought into the teams systems and style of play
and are firing on all cylinders. The dressing room is more united then any this
coach has seen, and the team has put team success above all else, especially,
individual success.
Up
next, the Wolves will battle the Hamilton Huskies for the Alliance
Championship. The Wolves know this will be the hardest test to date and vow to
work hard as they fight towards their season long goal of taking the Alliance
title and earning the opportunity to compete for an OHF Championship!
Go Wolves!