Stellar performance by the Wolverines

The Whitecourt Wolverines pulled off a stellar win against the Sherwood Park Crusaders in front of the home crowd on Saturday, December 2 with 609 people in attendance at the Scott Safety Centre. Stevie Bryant opened the scoring with less than a minute left in the first period thanks to a beauty of a pass from Spencer Bast and Estian Coetzee.

In the second period, the lone scorer was Mackenzie Harden making it 2-0. He nabbed his second of the year as Spencer and Estian picked up their second assists of the night. Three minutes into the third, the Crusaders managed to get one past Xavier Potvin, but it would be the only one Potvin would give up.

From there, Whitecourt held onto control scoring two more in the final frame including one from Noah Tooke. The fourth Wolverine to put one past the Crusaders’ net minder was hometown boy, Spencer Augot, with his first of the year. When his name was announced following the goal, the crowd cheered loudly as a salute to his achievement.  The Wolverines took the game 4-1 with 42 shots on goal, to the Crusaders 20.

In the second intermission, a new event took place for the first time as Kal Tire brought out small foam tires for a Chuck-a-Tire contest. As a boost to the Christmas Hamper, Kal Tire and the Wolverines teamed up to offer a unique and fun opportunity to do a great thing while having a chance to win a great prize. For only two dollars, fans could purchase a small tire, and during the second intermission, they were asked to throw them down onto the ice to attempt to land one into the tower of tires at centre ice.

Anyone who was able to do so was automatically entered in a draw for a full set of Nokian winter tires plus installation. Along with the financial boost, the Wolverines were also accepting donations including gift cards, non-perishable food, games, Lego, tools, and other new, unwrapped items that people wished to donate to the hamper.

“I really wanted to help raise money for the Whitecourt Christmas Hamper. We thought about it last year, about how we could support our local community, and this was one thing that really stood out to us. We wanted to give back,” said Whitecourt Kal Tire manager, Devon Spencer. Once the idea was set, Devon approached both the team and the Christmas Hamper people to get them on board.

On top of putting forward an amazing prize, Devon says the donation doesn’t stop there. “Kal Tire is also going to match whatever we raise and all of it, 100 per cent, is going to the hamper.” There are also $100 coupons available to be won that can go towards purchases over $250 at the local Kal Tire.

Koren Scott, committee member of the Whitecourt Christmas Hamper, was all smiles as she stood alongside Devon selling the mini tires. “He sought out the idea and he selected the hamper. Coming into our 45th year, we are just elated that we have the support within our community and our corporate partners. It’s a really great partnership and I just can’t wait to see those foam tires flying all over the arena tonight.”

Fans who missed out on the Chuck-A-Tire event at the December 2 game will have another chance on December 8 during the Wolverines’ home game against the Grande Prairie Storm.