The Whitecourt Wolverines had an opportunity to advance to the second round of the 2024 Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs on Tuesday, March 20, however, the Camrose Kodiaks won game four of the series 4-1 to force game five.
The Kodiaks dominated the first period with three unanswered goals, starting with Ty Hodge’s second goal of the series, scored at 10:29. Odin George and Spencer Masters were credited with the assists.
Brady Brenner then scored what would turn out to be the game-winning goal, on the power play, at 13:46. Bradley Gallo and Owen Lansing picked up assists on Brenner’s second goal of the series.
Ludovik Tardiff scored the third goal of the period for the Kodiaks at 18:12. Tardiff’s first goal of the series was assisted by Levi Carter and Nicholas Larkin.
At the end of the first period, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Camrose Kodiaks 16-9 but trailed 3-0 heading into the first intermission.
After allowing three goals on only nine shots, Wolverines’ goaltender Lukas Renaud was replaced by Nicholas Avakyan at the beginning of the second period.
Spencer Rheaume scored the only goal of the game for the Wolverines at 3:59 of the second period. Rheaume’s first goal of the series was assisted by Xavier Lacoste and Travis Verbeek.
At the end of the second period, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Camrose Kodiaks 13-12 but still trailed 3-1 heading into the second intermission.
Ty Hodge scored an empty net goal at 18:21 in the third period to secure the 4-1 victory for the Kodiaks. Hodge’s second goal of the game, and third of the season, was assisted by Levi Carter.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Camrose Kodiaks 17-8 in the third period.
After coming on in relief at the beginning of the second period, Whitecourt goaltender Nicholas Avakyan made 19 saves on 19 shots.
Camrose Kodiaks goaltender Elliot Pratt made 45 saves on 46 shots on net.
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With this victory by the Camrose Kodiaks, the series is now 3-1 in favour of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
Game five will be played in Whitecourt, at JDA Place, on Friday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m. and you can catch all the action LIVE on XM105FM.