There have been many games where the Waterloo Wolves have
tied and it felt like a loss, but this 0-0 tie against the Cambridge Hawks felt
like a win on various levels.
The obvious level was the Wolves controlled the pace of play
and dominated in almost every aspect of the game. Without exceptional
goaltending from the Hawks goalie, it is a 5 to 0 win. But, even in net, the Wolves
didn’t lose that battle with Drew Cribbin earning the shutout and playing
fantastic.
The effort from the players was constant and consistent. The
expectations were set and very early a line of Hunter McMurdo, Jack Mayne and
Ethan Wasylyshyn showed they meant business. Even when Mayne left due to
injury, Jack Smith moved up and played with the same intensity. Cole Ledgister
was shot out of a rocket and played for his team from start to finish.
The forwards executed the forecheck as instructed. There was
no better example than Matthew Ball, Jack Thompson and Ben Morton. They
attacked the puck aggressively, supported the puck and made sure they had a
player high to help on the back check when needed. They dominated play down low
and moved the puck well.
You’d think in a 0-0 game there was not much offense
generated, the score would make you think that is a no brainer, but the optimist
in me says, the habits will pay off. Cole Hunsberger, Evan Wallace and
Ledgister generated prime scoring chances all game. Even the powerplay, which
has not been impressive lately, looked dangerous for most of the game. Both Riley
Webster and Jake Patterson controlled play up top and Evan Walsh created
opportunities as well.
Finally, the Wolves engaged and played a more physical brand
of hockey. As has been the case all season, Jackson McNichol was laying the
body, as was Patterson and Webster. But they were not alone. Captain Ball set
the tone and each player followed suit and competed for pucks and took board
battles more seriously.
The Wolves needed more than a point to climb the standings,
but more importantly, needed to get on track with their style of play and
dedication, more than anything. The team heads off to London tonight with a
fraction of their roster available due to many needing to study for exams. Facing
the top seed, in a hostile and often poorly referred environment, the Wolves
enter as clear underdogs. A role the coaches do not mind. A role the players
will embrace. If the players can string together another effort like this game
the team will be set to return to even strength next week feeling good about
themselves and ready to get playoff ready.
Go Wolves!