Whitecourt Wolverines wrap up the playoffs, and will look different next season

 

The Whitecourt Wolverines ended their playoff run earlier than hoped after a tough loss in the North Division Finals against the Spruce Grove Saints. The games were very close goal-wise, with three of the four having been settled by only a single point.

The series started off great for the Wolverines on the road on Friday, March 30 after Tyr Thompson and Spencer Bast each scored to lead 2-0 after 25 minutes of play. Shortly thereafter, the Saints managed to pot two of their own in and tied the game up at two apiece. The third period featured several powerplays for the Wolverines, but they couldn’t capitalize. Halfway through overtime, the Saints scored and took game one.

Game two the next night was a different story as the Saints jumped out to a 2-0 lead early on. The Wolverines managed to score twice in the second, but the Saints bested that by scoring three. Heading into the third, the Saints held the lead 4-2. Ryan Grant was the lone Wolverine to score making it 4-3 bringing them so close but just shy.

Game three brought the Wolverines back to the Scott Safety Centre on April 2 to a full barn with just over 1,000 in attendance. Try as they might, they just couldn’t beat the Saints’ netminder. Through 60 minutes of action, the Wolverines could not get up on the scoreboard. Xavier Potvin kept the boys in the game letting only one goal squeeze past him in the second period. That lone goal would be the winner giving the Saints a 3-0 series lead.

With their backs up against the wall, facing elimination and with several players not on the roster, the Wolverines knew that this was the game to leave absolutely everything out on the ice. Fans waited until the halfway mark of the second period for the first goal of the game when the Saints rallied one in. Less than two minutes later Spencer Bast scored on the powerplay and tied the game 1-1. The Saints took back their lead just over a minute later, ending the second 2-1.

Moments into the third, the Saints increased their lead to 3-1. The Wolverines managed to get within one with a goal from Jaedon Leslie, but things fell apart shortly afterwards. A powerplay goal helped the Saints jump up 4-2 and another even-strength marker brought it to 5-2. In a desperate attempt to get back into the game, the Wolverines pulled Potvin for the extra man but the Saints beelined for the empty cage. The final game ended 6-2 and fans gave the team a rousing ovation to thank them for the great season.

Next season’s team is going to look a lot different with several fan favourites aging out of the AJHL system. Stevie Bryant, Ben Evanish, Jaedon Leslie, Matthew Monk, Liam Motley, and Xavier Potvin are just some of the players who are either 21 now or will be before the start of next season. Fans will get to meet new players that are sure to become favourites soon enough. Great job, boys! Good luck in your future endeavours and thank you for wearing the Wolverines logo with pride.