The Whitecourt Wolverines took a trip to the Canmore Recreation Centre on Tuesday, April 2, to face off against the Eagles in game three of the second round of the 2024 Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The first goal of the game came from Wolverines forward Travis Verbeek at 4:23 of the first period. Verbeek’s fourth goal of the postseason was assisted by Evan Johnson.
Rhett Dekowny tied the game for the Eagles, unassisted at 12:21. That was Dekowny’s fourth goal of the postseason.
The Canmore Eagles outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 10-9 in the first period and the score was tied 1-1.
Colby Browne started the second period with a goal for the Wolverines at 4:55. Dylan Leslie was credited with the assist on Browne’s fourth goal of the postseason.
Braden Keeble extended Whitecourt’s lead to 3-1 with a powerplay goal at 6:59. Zephyr LaPlante and Joey Melo picked up the assists on Keeble’s third goal of the postseason.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Canmore Eagles 11-10 in the second period and took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
Colby Browne then scored on a penalty shot at 5:06 of the third period. That was Browne’s second goal of the game and fifth of the postseason.
Following that, Eagles forward Stefan Serediak scored his first goal of the postseason at 8:47 of the third period with assists from Cohen Daoust and Brody Mortensen.
But Evan Johnson secured the 5-2 win for the Whitecourt Wolverines with his first goal of the postseason, scoring at 17:34, with an assist from Braden Keeble.
Both teams put 10 shots on net in the third period.
Whitecourt Wolverines goaltender Nicholas Avakyan made 28 saves on 30 shots in support of the Wolverines victory.
Canmore Eagles goaltender Matthew Malin made 25 saves on 30 shots.
With this win the Whitecourt Wolverines now lead the series 2-1.
Game four will be played on Wednesday, April 3, at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.