Feb 06, 2023 | Dwight Irwin | 480 views
Wolves take 2-0 series lead
Though the final scores may look one-sided, the Wolves vs Petrolia first-round series has been hockey at its finest, with frenetic end-to-end action, beautiful goals and outstanding goaltending.
Coming off a 6-1 Game 1 win that felt much closer, the Wolves jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the middle of the second frame on Sunday night in front of a great home crowd considering the time of puck drop.
Ethan Skinner and Garrett Meurs – on their way to five- and four-point nights respectively – scored powerplay goals in the first period, followed by even-strength markers from Adam Alexander and Tyson Soers in the first six minutes of the second.
While the lead looked comfortable, Ripley was being outshot to this point in the fast-paced, end-to-end game, as goalie Jason Hamilton replicated his huge effort from Saturday night, frustrating Petrolia's shooters from all angles.
Petrolia eventually found a soft spot in Ripley's defensive play and scored three goals in a five-minute span at the midway point of the second, before Meurs restored a two-goal lead with another powerplay marker late in the period, giving Ripley a 5-3 lead heading into the third.
In the third, Hamilton continued to stand tall while the Wolves relentless offence was rewarded with four goals (including an empty netter) to win 9-4. Scoring in the third was Ethan Visser, Alexander, Skinner and Soers.
Assists in the game went to Cody Britton (3), Skinner (3), Pat Looby (2), Meurs (2), Rob White, Chase Meurs, Jarred Colling, Gerritt Satosek, Nick Seiler, and Soers.
The Wolves will host Game 3 on Friday, Feb. 10, at 8:30 p.m. Game 4 will be in Petrolia on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m.