The Whitecourt Wolverines took a 3-1 series lead over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons with a 4-2 win on Wednesday, March 26.
Dylan Ruptash scored the first goal of the game on a power play at 8:16 to give the Wolverines an early lead. Ruptash’s fourth goal of the series was assisted by Ewan McPherson.
Carter Schmidt tied the game with his second goal of the series at 13:47. Shawn Eliav and Dustin Good picked up the assists on that goal.
At the end of the first period, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 14-13 but the game was tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
Wolverines defenceman Tyler Rowland scored the only goal of the second period at 8:38. Rowland’s first goal of the series was assisted by Ewan McPherson and Ty Rayan.
At the end of the second period, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 17-5 but the Wolverines took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Braden Keeble extended the Wolverines’ lead to 3-1 with his first goal of the series just 1:18 into the third period. Tavis Verbeek picked up the assist on Keeble’s goal.
Louis-Charles Cunningham scored his first goal of the series at 9:01 to bring the Oil Barons to within a goal. Cunningham’s goal was assisted by Cade Peterson and Dustin Good.
Xavier Lacoste then scored an empty-net goal at 19:34 to secure the 4-2 victory for the Wolverines. Lacoste’s third goal of the series was scored unassisted.
Fort McMurray outshot Whitecourt 9-8 in the third period and 40-26 in total.
Oil Barons’ goaltender Vincent Fillion made 22 saves on the 25 shots he faced.
Wolverines’ goaltender Zac Onyskiw made 38 saves on the 40 shots he faced in support of the Wolverines’ 4-1 win.
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The Wolverines have a chance to wrap up this series on home ice as both teams return to Whitecourt for game five on Friday, March 28.
Tickets can be purchased on the Whitecourt Wolverines website.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and you can catch all the action live right here on XM105FM, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
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The Grande Prairie Storm completed a four-game sweep of the Lloydminster Bobcats on March 26, to become the first team to advance to the second round of the 2025 Inter Pipeline Cup Alberta Junior Hockey League Playoffs.
In the AJHL South, the Calgary Canucks have taken a 3-1 series lead over the Camrose Kodiaks while the Canmore Eagles and Drumheller Dragons have tied their series 2-2.
