Ripley Wolves

After falling to Tillsonburg in the WOAA Senior ‘A’ final last year, the new-look Ripley Wolves are ready to take a bite out of the competition in 2016/17.

With the retirements of long-time stalwarts Jeremy McQuillin and Corey McCrae, it will be a different team taking to the ice at home on Friday, Oct. 7, against the Huron East Centenaires (Seaforth) at 8:30 p.m.

Since it’s not the playoffs, you may be wondering why Seaforth is travelling to Ripley for a regular season game – this year the league has decided to bring the North and South Divisions back together during the regular season. In order to keep the schedule at 20 games, the divisions have been split east-west, so Ripley will face Clinton, Huron East and Petrolia, while avoiding Tavistock, Milverton and Tillsonburg this year.

The Wolves, who are still finalizing this season’s roster, will have a new face behind the bench as Dustin Catto – who played with the team last season – has hung up his jersey for a shirt and tie, while last year’s coach Mark Smith has assumed the role of General Manager.

“Dustin comes with a very strong coaching resume including the Kincardine Bulldogs, AAA, KMHA along with supporting the Ripley Wolves in a player coach role this past season,” Smith said. “Dustin has had great success as a coach including multiple All-Ontario Midget B championships during his time with KMHA.

“I believe having Dustin lead the Wolves will put our team in the best position for a successful campaign as he is familiar with the players and their individual skillsets, while he has a high Hockey IQ and a strong desire to win.”

Kevin Taylor continues on as team President, while McQuillin and McCrae have joined the team’s executive.

This year’s schedule is:

Home

Oct 7 vs Huron East – 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 vs Shelburne – 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 vs Clinton – 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 12 vs Port Elgin – 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 25 vs Petrolia – 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 3 vs Durham – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 vs Lucknow – 8 p.m.
Jan. 14 vs Elora – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 vs Palmerston – 3 p.m.
Jan. 21 vs Shallow Lake – 7:30 p.m.

Away

Oct. 8 @ Elora – 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 @ Durham – 8:30 p.mOct. 28 @ Petrolia – 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 @ Palmerston – 2 p.m.
Nov. 18 @ Shallow Lake – 8:30 p.m. (in Chesley, Hammond Memorial Game)
Dec. 10 @ Shelburne – 8 p.m.
Dec. 16 @ Clinton – 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 @ Lucknow – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 @ Huron East – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 @ Port Elgin – 8:30 p.m.

The Ripley Wolves will host their fifth annual Indoor Beach Volleyball Tournament in the Ripley Arena from Thursday, Sept. 8 to Saturday, Sept. 10.

It starts with Business Night on Thursday night and continues with full tournament play on Friday.

Download the entry form and email it to Jeremy McQuillin at quillyon@hotmail.com ASAP.

The Ripley Wolves fell 4-3 on Saturday night and lost the WOAA Senior ‘A’ final to Tillsonburg in five games.

Scoring details are currently unavailable.

The Wolves thank their fans and sponsors for another successful season, while the executive thanks the players, coaches and trainers for their dedication to the team.

The Ripley Wolves will face elimination tonight at home to the Tillsonburg Thunder after losing 7-4 on Friday night.

The Wolves jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead but spent the better part of the second period in the penalty box, giving up four powerplay goals in the middle of the period before getting one back.

A wild third period featured three fights and a Thunder player trying to enter the crowd via the referee door, but no goals for the home side and the result was a 7-4 final (with a shorthanded, empty netter). Tillsonburg takes a 3-1 series lead in the WOAA Senior ‘A’ final.

Kurt Edwards was strong in the Wolves net,  stopping 35 shots, many of them when shorthanded.

Ripley goals were scored by Brett Catto, Paul Stewart, Cody Britton and Dustin Catto. Assists went to Tyler McCarthy, Tyson Soers, Corey McCrae and Stewart.

Game 5 is tonight in Ripley at 8 p.m. If necessary, Game 6 will be tomorrow in Tillsonburg.

The Ripley Wolves will enter the final weekend of the WOAA Senior ‘A’ playoffs down two games to one after a 2-1 overtime loss on Saturday night.

Game details are currently unavailable.

Games 4, 5 and 6 will be played next weekend with a Game 7 on Tuesday night in Ripley if necessary. Puck drops in Ripley at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1, and at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. If necessary, the teams will play Game 6 in Tillsonburg on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Ripley Wolves tied up the best-of-seven WOAA Senior ‘A’ final at 1-1 with a 6-3 win on Friday night at home.

Scoring details are currently unavailable.

The Wolves travel to Tillsonburg tonight for a 7:30 p.m. game, before returning home for Game 4 next Friday, April 1, at 8:30 p.m. and Game 5 on Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m.

The Ripley Wolves fell 7-1 in the opening game of the WOAA Senior ‘A’ final in Tillsonburg on the weekend.

Scoring details are not currently available.

The Wolves host Game 2 on Friday night at 7 p.m. and then travel to Tillsonburg on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.