Mar 03, 2024 | Dwight Irwin | 729 views
Wolves drop Game 1 vs Tavistock in overtime
Tell me if you've heard this one before... the Tavistock Royals scored an overtime winner against the Ripley Wolves in a playoff series.
Game 1 of this year's semi-final series vs Tavistock looked eerily similar to the two overtime losses the Wolves suffered at the hands of the Royals in last year's final – this time Tavi scoring on an overtime powerplay to win 4-3.
It was Ripley's first loss since Nov. 11.
The Wolves battled back from a second period 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2 with under two minutes left in the game, but an ill-timed and questionable hooking penalty at the Wolves blueline gave the Royals a late powerplay that they took advantage of, sending the game to overtime, where they ultimately drew first blood in the series.
Wolves goals were scored on separate but similarly incredible individual efforts by Ethan Skinner (2), and Garrett Meurs. Assists went to Alex Kuntz and Cody Britton.
Wolves back-up Jacob Abbott, who got the start in place of Jason Hamilton who was serving a one-game suspension stemming from an incident in the Erin series finale, played a really solid game and gave his team a chance to win, stopping 35 of 39 shots.
Game 2 goes today, March 3, at 2:30 p.m. in Tavistock. The series returns to Ripley on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m.