The month of November was busy and demanding. Taxing really.
But the Waterloo Wolves stayed positive and focused knowing if they weather the
storm through December, come January the team would be ready and healthy, set
to compete for an Alliance banner.
First up for the Wolves was their rival Kitchener Jr
Rangers. A deep and talented team that sits at the top of the Ontario rankings.
They have no shortness of scoring power so heading into the game with Jackson
Hunter and Cole Gardiner as the only two defenders selected in tryouts the team
knew they were up for a fight.
The Wolves once again needed Ben Schofield to drop back and
play defense and called up Jimmy Provencher for the game. All four did an
amazing job with a lot of ice against a lot of skill and when they needed help
it was there in the form of Jake Howard.
Howard faced a plethora of shots and played a dialed in and
determined game. At first glance you might think a 4 to 4 tie wasn’t a game a
goalie would want but had you been in the stands you would know Howard was a
wall. He stopped every shot he should and many he shouldn’t have had a chance.
It was an impressive showing.
Grayson Seiling opened the scoring from Reed Rozema. The
newly acquired Antonio Parisi scored his first goal in his first game with the
team and Casey Ross and Allan Wang had helpers. Reed Rozema scored from Ben
Schofield and Hiatt Rich. Ross scored unassisted on the final goal.
Next up was the rescheduled game against the Cambridge Hawks.
Ironically, the Hawks coach said he had to reschedule the game because he only
had four defenders and six forwards. The same number of players the Wolves
rolled into town with. Perhaps the Hawks should have just played that game as
the Wolves feasted 11 to 2 in the game.
Ross popped off for four goals in the game, Rich had a pair
of goals, Cam Murray had a pair of goals, Parisi had a pair of goals and
Seiling had a goal and a disallowed goal. Ross’ first goal was set up by
Parisi, his second from Seiling, his third from Rich and the final goal was
from Rich and Parisi. Rich’s first goal was set up from Seiling and Ross and
his second from Carter Talboom and Parisi. Murrays first goal was set up by
Ross and his second from Wang. Parisi first goal was set up by Rich and
Gardiner and his second from Rich. Seilings goal was set up by Murray.
Ciaran Guitton-Quayle made a highlight reel toe save in the
third and early on when the Wolves were settling in was particularly sharp. Both
the Wolves goalies have had to work extra hard as the team settles in with all
the injuries.
Finally, it was time to head to London to face the Jr
Knights White. Howard was back in the crease and back to making great saves for
his team in a 4 to 2 win.
Schofield opened the scoring for the Wolves from ross and
Wang. Rich had a slick goal from Schofield and Gardiner. Rozema, who did his
team a solid by playing defense all weekend, scored from Murray and Ross and
Ross had a secondary assist when Rozema set up Wang for a goal.
The team is still without Owen Ottens, Dell Wang, Logan
Landry, Ben Sawyer, Logan Murtha and Christopher Ding. Seiling also went out
after the Cambridge game. It is a testament to how much courage and heart these
Wolves players have being able to pick up 5 of 6 possible points when they have
almost as many bodies on the injured reserve as they do on the ice. Players
have stepped up and played serious minutes. The players have rallied and played
in every possible position and situation putting all personal goals aside for
the team. It has been difficult. But it has also been incredible.
A very sincere thank you to all the players who have worked
so hard to keep this team afloat. The fact they have played so many games with
hardly enough guys, less than other team had when they cancelled games, and
have been able to climb to 3rd in the standings with a +16 goal differential
is amazing.
Keep working Wolves!