Whitecourt, AB – The Whitecourt Wolverines (9-4-3) returned to home ice in successful fashion Saturday night with a 2-1 win over the visiting Calgary Canucks (7-8-0).
The Wolverines got the fans on their feet early as Tanner Foster set up the game’s opening goal as he stepped around a Canuck defender inside the offensive zone and slipped a pass to Spencer Bast who lifted the puck over the glove of Canuck’s goalie Caiden Kreitz 4:46 into the first period. A fairly even first period looked like it would close with the Wolverines holding their 1-0 advantage but a late too-many-men on the ice penalty resulted in Zach Russell getting the game tied as he pounced on a rebound in front of the Wolverine’s net.
The Wolverines were back on their heels to start the second period as the Canucks carried their momentum over from the first frame. Goaltender Xavier Potvin came up with a number of big saves while the penalty kill got the momentum back for the Wolverines killing off two successive Canuck man-advantages. With just over a minute to play in the second period, defenceman Noah Tooke pinched down the left-wing wall, patiently held onto the puck in behind the Canuck’s net and then zipped a pass onto the tape of Jaedon Leslie who ripped a shot past Kreitz to restore the Wolverine’s lead.
The Wolverines were afforded four power plays in the third period but could not cash in an insurance marker, but it would not matter as the team defended well and secured their third consecutive win.
The Wolverine return to action Sunday afternoon on home ice as they welcome the Drumheller Dragons (10-4-1) to the Scott Safety Centre for a 2:30 p.m. faceoff. Following the game is the first Booster Juice Skate With The Wolverines, fans are asked to bring their skates to the arena (keep them in your car or dressing room #3 during the game) and after the final horn sounds, lace up and hit the ice with the players.
Scoring Summary
1st Period:
WCT Goal – 4:46 – Spencer Bast(3) from Tanner Foster and Stevie Bryant (EV)
CGY Goal – 18:42 – Zach Russell(1) from Chad Varney and Brody Medeiros (PP)
2nd Period:
WCT Goal – 18:50 – Jaedon Leslie(6) from Noah Tooke and Liam Motley (EV)
3rd Period:
No Scoring
Shots – WCT 26 (11-5-10) CGY 32 (14-9-9)
Power plays – WCT 0/5 CGY 1/4
Goalies:
WCT – Xavier Potvin (7-3-3) 31sv/32sh
CGY – Caiden Kreitz (4-4-0) 24sv/26sh
Three Star Selection:
1. WCT-Xavier Potvin (31sv, W)
2. WCT-Jaedon Leslie (GWG)
3. WCT-Tanner Foster (1a)
Hardest Working Wolverine: Ryan Grant.
Recap presented by:
