The Waterloo Wolves 5 to 1 win over
the Stratford Warriors marked the team’s 10th straight league win this
season. If we include tournament play it puts them on a 17-game unbeaten streak
with 13 straight wins and you need to go back to November 9th to see
a loss.
Not too shabby.
The teams hot play has them two
points away from the London Knights for first place (with two games in hand) in
the Alliance, tied for first in wins, first in winning percentage, second in
goals scored, first in goals against and second in goals differential and goals
for percentage.
The team culture couldn’t be better.
The players’ commitment and effort couldn’t be better. And, winning aside, the
amount of fun the team is having couldn’t be better! This is a team that works
together, backs each other up and supports one another. No finger pointing, no
excuses and everyone has bought into the team system.
Kudos Wolves players!
A couple of steady defenders scored
highlight reel goals for the Wolves. Jack Smith, who has been instrumental on
the penalty kill, scored a rocket of a goal from Owen Miloje and Ben Morton.
And then, Jack Gardner, the human vacuum, completed a gorgeous tic tac toe play
from Alan Wang and Connor Wilson. Wilson also added a goal from Wang and Evan
Walsh. Captain Morton had another multi-goal game with his first set up from
Jack Mayne and his second from Reed Rozema and Gardner.
Jacob Shaughnessy missed the game due
to illness and Ethan Kralik stepped up double shifting with Morton. Krailk also
was huge on the penalty kill and had a strong game. Casey Ross was paired with Kralik
often on the kill and Ross’ active stick spoiled several plays by the Warriors.
With Murtha injured, Christopher Ding stepped up on the penalty kill as well.
Ding had a strong game and made key rushes for his team.
It is a broken record talking about
the Wolves goalies. We are at 19 league games played and four tournaments and
still have not seen a poor performance from the goalies. Jake Howard had big
kick saves in the first period when the game was scoreless, and the Warriors
came out hot. Even when the Wolves had goals on board, Howard flashed his
glove, stayed focused, calm and effective.
The team heads to Buffalo this
weekend for the Outdoor Classic and will work towards a third championship this
season. The team booked five tournaments to help them learn how to win under
pressure as they chase their goal of winning the Alliance championship.