The Ripley Wolves put a bow on 2023 with a dominant 6-1 win against our cross-township rivals in Lucknow.
Buoyed by four second period goals, the Wolves controlled the game from start to finish, outshooting the Lancers 43-18.
Scoring for Ripley was Paul Stewart, Kaden Hoggarth, Cody Britton, Jarred Colling, Ethan Skinner and Mike Howes. Assists went to Brett Catto (4), Britton (2), Pat Looby, Nick Seiler, Colling, Howes, and Hoggarth.
Jason Hamilton picked up the win in the Wolves net.
Aside from the Ontario Elite Hockey League tilt between the Wolves and Lancers, it was a huge day for Huron-Bruce Minor Hockey, as the Under-13 team battled hard but fell 2-1 in the Silver Stick semi-finals, while the Under-15 team claimed the title with a Double OT thriller vs Wingham on a laser from the slot by Jared Moffat, a young man, fittingly, with both Ripley and Lucknow roots.
It was incredibly exciting to watch our future Wolves and Lancers put it all on the line for capacity crowds in Kincardine, and the future sure looks bright with the talent coming up through our minor hockey system as the U15s will be joined at the International Silver Stick by the Under-18s.
As for the Wolves, they end 2023 two points up on Creemore for first place in the OEHL standings with an 11-1-3 record (25 points), with five games remaining before playoffs. Creemore does have a game in hand so the race for first could come down to the final weekend of January.
See the full league standings here.
The Wolves play four of their final five games at home and host the Seaforth Centenaires on Saturday, Jan. 6, for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Game sponsor is Current Electric and Lippert Trucking.
The Wolves want to thank their fans and sponsors for all their support during a 2023 that started with us falling just short of our goal of a championship and is ending with the team poised for another great playoff run. We appreciate everyone and look forward to seeing you at the rink in January and beyond!