Wolves Novice LL1 cruising through playoffs

March 11, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Shelburne Wolves Novice LL1 team have suffered their first loss in the playoffs, taking an 8 – 5 hit to the Elmvale Coyotes this past Thursday night, March 3, at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

It was only the first loss for the Wolves in the round robin style playoffs. They have already won their first five games in a strong showing in post-season play.

The Wolves were leading 4 – 2 in the second period of Thursday’s game, but allowed two goals that meant the teams returned to the ice with a 4 – 4 tie and one period left to play.

The Coyotes managed to score an early one, but that was matched by the Wolves to again make it an even match with minutes left to play.

Elmvale took the lead with only 2:19 left on the clock, then followed up with a second goal seconds later that gave them a two goal advantage with just over a minute remaining.

The Wolves put out a strong offensive effort in the final minutes in an attempt to get back into the game but time ran out before they could tie it up and they had to settle for an 8 – 5 loss.

Shelburne’s Ashton Crouse got the hat trick for the game, scoring three of the Wolves goals.

Cole Downey and Logan Leonardo got the other Wolves goals.

“We’ve got five wins, one loss,” said Wolves coach Yens Thalenhorst. “We’ve got two more games coming up. We’ve got to play a little more defensively and clean up our end and make sure we’re covered in front of the net,” he added of what the team will work on to get ready for the next game.

Wolves centre Cole Downey said he thought the team played a good game despite the loss.

“I think the strengths of the team are passing and back-checking,” Cole said. “We passed a lot and got it (the puck) out from the net. We were doing good on offence. On defence, we did, sort of good, sort of not. I’m going to work on back checking for the next game.”

The minor hockey season is winding down with the last few games on the schedule.