Jan 27, 2024 | Dwight Irwin | 609 views
Wolves shut out Winterhawks, can clinch top spot tonight
A 30-save, 2-0 Jason Hamilton shut-out over Saugeen Shores has put the Ripley Wolves within one point of clinching first overall in the Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL), a feat that could occur as soon as tonight at home vs Minto.
A first period powerplay goal from Brett Catto, assisted by Cody Britton, held up the whole game thanks to Hamilton's perfect night between the pipes, until Tyson Soers sealed it with a short-handed empty netter in the last minute.
Hamilton, the all-time leader in shutouts in the now-defunct WOAA Senior A league, now has blanked opposing teams four times this season.
The Wolves now have 31 points and sit six ahead of second place Creemore, which has three games remaining to obtain a maximum six points. That means the Wolves can lose in overtime tonight at home vs Minto and gain the one point they need to claim home ice advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round match-up with either the Erin Outlaws or Georgian Bay Applekings, who have 13 and 12 points respectively, eight fewer than seventh place Durham.
This breathing room in the standings for the Wolves looked improbable until Creemore suffered two regulation losses last weekend, falling to Minto and Georgian Bay, putting them into the log-jam of second to seventh place being separated by just four points. The Winterhawks wrapped up their season with 23 points but could see themselves fall all the way to seventh because the three teams chasing them have at least two games remaining while the Hawks are idle now until the playoffs.
It's been a wild inaugural regular season for the OEHL that will no doubt result in an incredible two months of playoff hockey.
First though, the Wolves welcome a Minto team tonight that's chasing down home ice in the first round, with puck drop at 7 p.m. Game sponsor is Kempton Construction and it's also Sponsor Appreciation Night, when we get a chance to thank the local families and businesses whose generosity allows us to bring this fantastic product to the Ripley Arena all winter.
You don't want to miss this one.