The Whitecourt Wolverines played their first home game of 2025 against the Devon Xtreme on Wednesday, Jan. 8, losing 4-3 in a shootout.
Braden Keeble gave the Wolverines an early lead with his 12th goal of the season, just :32 into the first period. Dwayne Jean Jr. and Travis Verbeek were credited with the assists on that goal.
Tyler Pretty tied the game for the Xtreme at 8:52. Levy Kozma picked up the solo assist on Pretty’s 10th goal of the season.
Levy Kozma then scored his 10th goal of the season on the power play at 16:49. Xander Schulte and Austin Wentz were credited with the assists.
At the end of the first period, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Devon Xtreme 16-6 but the Xtreme took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Wolverines tied the game in the second period thanks to a power play goal from Jalen Bianchet at 11:38. Travis Verbeek and Dylan Ruptash were credited with the assists on Bianchet’s 13th goal of the season.
At the end of the second period, the Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Devon Xtreme 8-4 but the game was tied 2-2 heading into the second intermission.
Whitecourt’s Braden Keeble scored his second goal of the night 7:17 into the third period with assists from Dwayne Jean Jr. and Tyler Rowland. It was Keeble’s 13th goal of the season.
Later, Devon’s Tyler Pretty scored his second goal of the night at 18:47 to tie the game 3-3. Xander Schulte was credited with the lone assist on Pretty’s 11th goal of the season.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Devon Xtreme 10-8 in the third period, but neither team was able to break the tie before regulation time ended, leading to an overtime frame.
The Wolverines once again outshot the Xtreme 6-1 in overtime and again, neither team was able to break the tie, leading to a shootout.
At the end of regulation and overtime, the Whitecourt Wolverines had outshot the Devon Xtreme 40-20.
The Wolverines’ first skater in the shootout was Dylan Ruptash, who was not able to score.
The Xtreme’s first skater in the shootout was Tyler Pretty, who did score.
The Wolverines’ second shooter was Jalen Bianchet, who also scored.
The Xtremes’ second shooter was Malcom Baar, who scored as well.
Travis Verbeek was the third shooter for the Wolverines, but was unable to score, securing the 4-3 victory for the Xtreme.
Whitecourt Wolverines goaltender Zac Onyskiw made 16 saves on the 19 shots he faced.
Devon Xtreme goaltender Logan Cunningham made 37 saves on the 40 shots he faced.
—
With this loss, the Wolverines now have a record of 22-8-2-2, for a total of 48 points. The Wolverines are currently sitting at the top of the AJHL North division and first in the overall league standings.
The Wolverines are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 11, as they host the Olds Grizzlys.
Get your tickets now on the Whitecourt Wolverines website or catch all the action live on XM105FM, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
