The Wolverines started back into league play hosting the Kitchener
Lady Rangers – Blue after the North Halton Twisters tournament. The
Wolverines would score halfway thru the 1st period and add two more
early in the 3rd period
despite some good goaltending that kept Kitchener in the game. The final
score would however end in a 3-0 shutout win for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines would square off against the Stratford Aces #2 the following day. The Wolverines would have a number of chances in the first period, but would not be able to find the back of the net. The break between the 1st and 2nd period seemed to be what they needed as they would come out and score 2 goals in the first 0:52 of the period and take control of the game from there. They would add another in the 2nd and two more in the 3rd and enjoy the sunny drive back down highway 7/8 with a 5-0 shutout win.
The Wolverines would hit the road again the following weekend to play the Cambridge Roadrunners – Teal. Much like the Wolverines, the Cambridge team has shown during league play they can put the puck in the net and do a pretty good job keeping the puck out of their own. This game was a little more run and gun than the style the Wolverines typically play. The opponent would take 2 penalties in the 1st period that the Wolverines were unable to capitalize on, but they would find the net midway thru the 2nd period and add another early in the 3rd. The Wolverines would shut the door from there with solid back checking, tight defensive play and some timely saves from the net minder to leave Cambridge with a 2-0 shutout win. This win would also punch the Wolverines ticket for a Pool A grouping for the second half of the season.
The last game of the first half schedule would be against the Central Perth Predators. This was yet another team with some offensive punch during league play and a team desperate to get punch their own ticket to Pool A. The Wolverines would score first late in the 1st period and again midway thru the 2nd for a 2-0 lead. Central Perth would net one of their own with less than a minute left in the 2nd period, however the Wolverines would storm back with their 3rd goal of the game only 0:20 later to hold a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd period and ending the Wolverines shutout streak just short of 11 periods. Desperate for the W, Central Perth would pull their goalie during a power play around the 6 minute mark for a 6 on 4 advantage, but it would not pay off and the Wolverines would close out the first half of the season with another win!
The Wolverines would end the first half of the season averaging 3.714 Goals For (GF) and 1.000 Goals Against (GA).
The Wolverines will enjoy a day at the movies this weekend before preparing for the Jason Cripps Memorial tournament between Christmas and New Year’s. The first game of the tournament will be a re-match against Central Perth followed by games against Waterloo 2 and Ayr in round robin play.
By: Rick Livingstone