The Whitecourt Wolverines were back in action over the weekend of Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16 with back-to-back home games against the Olds Grizzlys and Fort McMurray Oil Barrons.
The Wolverines shut out the Grizzlys 3-0 on Friday but lost to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Saturday, 4-3 in overtime.
Friday’s matchup started with a goal from Ethan Short, just 2:07 into the first period. Short’s eighth goal of the season was assisted by Marcello Giorgi and Xavier Lacoste.
Dwayne Jean Jr. scored his sixth goal of the season at 11:12 with assists from Reid Larson and Ethan Short.
At the end of the first period, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Olds Grizzlys 15-13 and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Jalen Bianchet scored the only goal of the second period at 12:38 to secure the Wolverines’ 3-0 victory. Bianchet’s seventh goal of the season was assisted by Ewan McPherson and Joey Vetrano.
The Wolverines outshot the Grizzlys 15-7 in the second period, 14-4 in the third period and 44-24 overall.
Olds Grizzlys’ goaltender Ben Dardis made 41 saves on 44 shots.
Whitecourt Wolverines’ goaltender Elliot Pratt was perfect on all 24 shots he faced, leading to his first-ever career shutout.
—
On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Wolverines hosted the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, losing 4-3 in overtime.
The Wolverines started the game strong with Xavier Lacoste scoring his second goal of the season at 14:10, with Jalen Bianchet and Joey Vetrano assisting on the play.
Ethan Short then scored his ninth goal of the season at 18:28 to make it 2-0 Whitecourt.
Dwan Jean Jr. and Marcello Giorgi picked up the assists on Short’s goal.
At the end of the first period, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 13-10 but the Wolverines took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Oil Barons took control of the second period starting with a goal from Justin Dumais at 1:48. Dustin Good and Carter Schmidt picked up the assists on Dumais’ second goal of the season.
Ryan Arnold then tied the game 2-2 with his fifth goal of the season, scored unassisted at 8:45.
At the end of the second period, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 13-7 and tied the game 2-2 heading into the second intermission.
Charles-Olivier Villeneuve then gave the Oil Barons their first lead of the game at 15:01 of the third with his fifth goal of the season. Cade Peterson and Drew Freer were credited with the assists on the go-ahead goal.
Travis Verbeek re-tied the game at 15:44 with his second goal of the season. Verbeek’s goal was assisted by Xavier Lacoste and Dylan Ruptash.
At the end of the third period, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 14-10, but neither team was able to break the tie in the third period, leading to an overtime frame.
Charles-Olivier Villeneuve secured the win for the Oil Barons just 0:58 into overtime with his second goal of the game and sixth of the season. Patani Mutambo assisted the game-winning goal.
The Fort McMurray Oil Barons outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 2-0 in the overtime frame and 38-31 in total as they secured the 4-3 victory.
—
The Wolverines now have a record of 15-5-1-1, for a total of 32 points, putting them first in the AJHL Northern Division and overall league standings.
The Wolverines’ next game is Friday, Nov. 22, as they head out to Fort McMurray for the first of two back-to-back games against the Oil Barons.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m., and you can catch all the action live on XM105FM, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
