Mar 15, 2026 | Dwight Irwin | 120 views
Wolves win Game 7 setting up rematch with Minto
The Ripley Wolves came out flying on Sunday afternoon and held off the Durham Thundercats on their way to a 5-3 win in Game 7 of the North Division semi-final.
The Wolves will now face the Minto 81s, which swept Ripley in last year's Ontario Elite Hockey League final on their way to a strong showing in the 2025 Allan Cup.
On Sunday, the Wolves carried the play for the first two periods, leading 2-0 after one period and 3-0 after two on goals from Carter Servais, Trent Houghton, and Dan Nicoloff. Durham scored early in the third before the Wolves regained their three-goal lead on Servais' second of the night.
Durham pulled within two with 7:45 left on the clock and got within one with just over 2:30 left and their net empty.
It was a nerve-wracking final two minutes before Kaden Hoggarth scored into the empty net to seal the Game 7 victory.
Assists went to Pat Looby (2), Garrett Meurs, Dawson Fahrer, Tyson Soers, Jordan Moulton, and Houghton, who recently finished his Junior B season with the Listowel Cyclones and was added to the roster along with defenceman Aidan Renaud and back-up goalie Kaleb Meyer.
Jason Hamilton was fantastic in net, stopping 25 of 28 shots for the win.
The Wolves move on to face Minto, which swept Elmvale in its semi-final. Game times are still to be determined, but Ripley will have home-ice advantage by finishing atop the North Division in the regular season.
Watch our website, Facebook and Instagram for game times as they become available.