The 2025/26 season has finally started, and it couldn’t have come too soon. With the new open borders, tryouts were right after the season, and it definitely created some headaches for teams.
However, with that said, all the drama was in the rear-view
mirror as the Waterloo Wolves returned to the ice to face the London Knights
Green team. The same team they defeated for the Alliance banner last season.
The teams skated to a 3 to 3 tie in a game that showed both teams likely will
be contenders again.
The first goal of the season for the Wolves was scored by
Dell Wang with assist from Christopher Ding and Allan Wang. Owen Ottens potted
the next goal, and the tying goal came from Hiatt Rich from Casey Ross and
Ding.
The Knights had a tough time generating goals against Jake
Howard who picked up right where he left off. Howard was his typical steady
self and made saves to keep his team in the game and secure the point.
Overall, the game showcased some nice pace by both teams, as
well as some rust and timing issues on both sides as expected. It was the first
“real game” for both squads.
The Wolves have had some real important roster changes
throughout the pre-season. The team lost Alex Govanis to junior hockey, and
both, Ryder Hallman and Chad Gruber to AAA teams. So, when Logan Landry went
down hard on a cheap shot and was injured it was an extra hard blow.
But the Wolves battled on…..
Headed to face the Sarnia Sting the next day, another team
the Wolves had to beat in last season’s playoffs, the players knew it would be
a battle and were ready to compete.
The Wolves won the game 6-1 and saw some really amazing puck
movement. The Wolves Wang, D continued his scoring prowl netting a pair of goals.
Both his goals were set up by Wang, A, and then, Wang, A scored from Wang, D. Ben
Schofield and Cam Murray had their first goals of the season with Schofield
scoring from Rich and Murray from Wang, D and Wang, A. Grayson Seiling scored an
unassisted goal in the game as well.
The team saw some solid play from their defense in the game.
The Wolves have a great mix of shut down defenders like Logan Murtha, Jackson
Hunter and Ben Sawyer to compliment the offensive ability of Ottens and Ding.
Seiling is another offensive weapon from the backend but due to the above-mentioned
roster changes he is stepping up to help his team as a forward.
Ciaran Guitton-Quayle picked up the win in the game and was
solid in nets. The Wolves are fortunate to have their goalies from last season return.
GQ was a rock, challenged shooters and controlled rebounds effortlessly
creating a spark for his team.
Speaking of sparks, Carter Talboom, was another spark.
Talboom was a relentless forechecker and backchecked for the team creating turnovers
all over the ice and keeping the Sting on their toes.
With lots to work on, the Wolves head to the Halton Hills
Best of Best where they will use the tournament to address some in play issues
and use it to spring board the team into playing the hockey the coaches know
they need to play to be successful.
Great stat Wolves!