Spruce Grove, AB – The Whitecourt Wolverines (8-4-3) scored three unanswered goals in the third period on Wednesday night to knock off the Spruce Grove Saints (9-4-1) by a score of 3-1.
The Saints opened the scoring 7:10 into the first period as Josh Harris jumped on a rebound off a Chris Van Os-Shaw shot. The Wolverines had two power play chances in the opening frame but could not find the back of the net.
There was no scoring in the second period as the Wolverines were forced into killing three Spruce Grove power plays in which they were successful thanks to several timely shot blocks by defenceman Tanner Foster and saves from goaltender Xavier Potvin.
The Wolverines needed a spark in the third period after being held to just 11 shots on goal through 40 minutes and were given that spark as they went on a five-minute power play after Dylan Bourlai was flagged for a late hit on Wolverine’s defenceman Beaudon Rider. In the late stages of the lengthy power play, Tyr Thompson hammered a point shot on net that Saint’s goalie Nolan Kent got a piece of, but not enough as it trickled past him and over the goal line, tying the game at one with 10:24 to play in the third period. Just over five minutes later, the Wolverines took the lead as Brayden Labant and Hayden Clayton went to work down low in the offensive zone and centered a puck that Jude Butler one-timed into the back of the net. The Saints pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with 2:36 to play in the third period looking for a late equalizer, but it would be Vince Beaudry scoring into the empty net to secure the win for the Wolverines with his first career AJHL goal.
The Wolverines are back in action Saturday night at the Scott Safety Centre when they welcome the Calgary Canucks to town for a 7:30 p.m. opening faceoff.
Wolverines forward Tyr Thompson discusses a character win for the team:
Scoring Summary
1st Period:
SG Goal – 7:10 – Josh Harris(4) from Chris Van Os-Shaw and Cam Mitchell (EV)
2nd Period:
No Scoring
3rd Period:
WCT Goal – 9:36 – Tyr Thompson(4) from Ben Evanish (PP)
WCT Goal – 14:42 – Jude Butler(2) from Hayden Clayton and Brayden Labant (EV)
WCT Goal – 18:33 – Vince Beaudry(1) unassisted (EV/EN)
Shots – WCT 19 (6-5-8) SG 27 (5-11-11)
Power plays – WCT 1/4 SG 0/3
Goalies:
WCT – Xavier Potvin (6-3-3) 26sv/27sh
SG – Nolan Kent (8-2-0) 17sv/19sh
Three Star Selection:
1. WCT-Jude Butler (GWG)
2. WCT-Xavier Potvin (26sv, W)
3. WCT-Tyr Thompson (1g)
Hardest Working Wolverine: Tanner Foster.
Recap presented by:
