The Whitecourt Wolverines are advancing to the Alberta Junior Hockey League semifinals after a 7-1 win over the Camrose Kodiaks on Friday, March 22.
Hunter Motley scored the first goal of the game just 3:54 into the first period. Motley’s first goal of the series was assisted by Matthew Ronn and Kaiden Wiltsie.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Camrose Kodiaks 14-8 in the first period and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period then started with a power play goal from Jalen Bianchet at 5:29. Spencer Rheaume and Nathaniel Bannister picked up assists on Bianchet’s first goal of the series.
Kyle Venneman extended the Wolverines lead to 3-0 with his second goal of the series at 16:17. Jack Franklin and Colby Browne were credited with the assists.
The Camrose Kodiaks outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 17-8 in the second period but were trailing 3-0 heading into the second intermission.
Spencer Rheaume then scored a power play goal just 2:09 into the third period. Braden Keeble and Colby Browne assisted on Rheaume’s second goal of the series.
Soon afterwards, Colby Browne scored an unassisted power play goal at 2:40. Browne’s second goal of the series put the Wolverines up 5-0.
Travis Verbeek added to that lead by scoring his second goal of the series at 9:56. Joey Melo and Braden Keeble were credited with the assists on Verbeek’s goal.
The Camrose Kodiaks finally got on the board with a shorthanded goal from Nicholas Larkin at 11:47. Larkin’s first goal of the series was assisted by Alexander Bryson.
Later, Jalen Bianchet scored his second goal of the night, and the final goal of the game, at 15:43 to secure the 7-1 win for the Wolverines. Bianchet’s second goal of the series was assisted by Colby Browne.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Camrose Kodiaks 16-12 in the third period.
Camrose Kodiaks’ goaltender Elliott Pratt started the game and stopped 31/38 shots on goal. Pratt was pulled at the 17:50 mark of the third period and replaced with Whitecourt local Carson Ironside in order to play in front of his former hometown in his last AJHL game. Ironside did not face any shot attempts.
Whitecourt Wolverines’ goaltender Nicholas Avakyan stopped 36/37 shots o goal in support of the Wolverines’ 7-1 victory.
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With this win, the Whitecourt Wolverines will finish 4-1 in the first round, and advance to the 2024 AJHL semifinals.
The Wolverines will face the Canmore Eagles in the next round of playoffs, with Games 1 and 2 in Whitecourt on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, 2024, respectively.
The Calgary Canucks will face the Drumheller Dragons in the other semifinal.