Jan 08, 2023 | Dwight Irwin | 369 views
Wolves clinch playoff spot with weekend split
The Ripley Wolves have clinched their spot in the playoffs after splitting their weekend games.
The Wolves fell 5-2 in Saugeen Shores on Friday night, but bounced back with a 9-5 home win over the Milverton 4-Wheel Drives on Saturday, to book their spot in the playoffs next month.
The Wolves currently sit in third place with 22 points (10-6 record), one point up on Creemore with a game in hand.
On Friday night, the Wolves battled from behind all night to tie the score at two in the third period, but three late goals – including two in the last 25 seconds – by the Winterhawks gave our neighbours to the north a 5-2 win.
Goals were scored by Tyson Soers and Pat Looby, while assists went to Looby, Evan Visser, Nick Seiler and Ryan Shaw.
Jason Hamilton took the loss in the Wolves net.
It was a different story on Saturday night, when the Wolves hosted the 3-12 Milverton 4-Wheel Drives. Cody Britton, just back from injury, netted four goals, while Jarred Colling (2), Adam Alexander (2), and Dan Nicoloff rounded out the scoring in a wild one that saw eight goals scored in the first period alone.
Assists went to Seiler (3), Nicoloff (3), Garrett Meurs (2), Alex Kuntz (2), Alexander (2), and singles to Colling, Chris Coady, Paul Stewart, and Britton.
Hamilton bounced back for the win.
The Wolves are on the road twice next weekend, when we travel to Palmerston to face the second-place Mapleton-Minto 81s on Friday, Jan. 13, at 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, Jan. 15, we make the short trip to Lucknow to face the Lancers at 5:30 p.m.
The Wolves return home on Jan. 21 to face the Shelburne Muskies at 7 p.m.