A valiant effort falls just short for the Whitecourt Wolverines

Following a heartbreaking loss in game five on Friday night, at home in front of their fans, the Whitecourt Wolverines 2022/2023 postseason life has ended. Their second round against the Bonnyville Pontiacs was hard fought from the start, as players continually raised the excitement for the hometown faithful.

Over 550 fans attended the March 31 game, hoping to see their team pull out the win, staving off elimination. The Pontiacs had a 3-1 series lead entering the game and were looking to finish things off on the road. Only one would get their wish.

In the first half of the opening period, both teams skated hard, splitting time between zones. The first goal came at 13:29 into the frame when Bonnyville’s Jack Budd scored his third goal of the postseason, assisted by Max Seguin. Bonnyville took two penalties in the period, but the Wolverines couldn’t capitalize on either. The first period ended 1-0.

In the second, things opened up as both teams could sense the finality of the game. The Wolverines started skating with a fire beneath their skates as they finished their checks, served up some big hits, pushing Bonnyville players around more than they had in the first.

As things heated up, so did the action on the scoreboard. Yes, there were goals, but penalties were accumulating most. The Pontiacs sat for three while the Wolverines sat for five, including a four-minute penalty against Chase Broda for a slew-foot. Fans did not agree with the call, which appeared more like a dive to many of them, as they screamed their displeasure to the refs. Try as they might, the loyal Wolverines’ fans could not persuade them to rescind their call.

Fifteen seconds after Chase Broda was released from the penalty box, the Wolverines were hit with another penalty, this time against Jonah Bevington for roughing. Again, fans disagreed with the call. A loud chorus of boo’s rained down from the stands. Players on the ice collided, pushing and shoving each other near Bonnyville’s bench. The volcano of tensions in the arena seemed ready to blow. Unfortunately, Bonnyville scored during Bevington’s penalty, taking a two-nothing lead.

Just shy of three minutes later, the Wolverines got on the board thanks to a sniper shot from Tanner Komzak, his first of the playoffs, assisted by Spencer Rheaume. Fans went wild. It looked like the Wolverines were getting back on track. The celebration was sadly short-lived. Nineteen seconds later, refs called Whitecourt’s Caleb MacDonald for interference. On the ensuing powerplay, Bonnyville scored again, making it 3-1.

Before the period ended, Bonnyville and Whitecourt each received two more penalties. Heading into the third, the Wolverine’s best chance of tying things up would be to stay out of the penalty box, as two of Bonnyville’s three goals had come on the powerplay. But that’s easier said than done.

The Wolverines fought for their postseason lives in the final twenty minutes of regulation play. It was now or never, and no one, not the fans or the players, wanted this to be the end. Early on, Wolverine goalie Ben Charette was called for a delay of game penalty, serviced by Cooper Smyl. During the powerplay, the Wolverines managed to keep Bonnyville out of their net as Charette did everything but stand on his head.

At the thirteen-minute mark, Bonnyville scored, raising their lead to 4-1. Less than two minutes later, Colby Browne scored his ninth postseason goal, thanks to a great pass from Aiden Long. In the final three and a half minutes, the Wolverines fought valiantly to score the two goals they needed to tie things up and force overtime, but they couldn’t beat the Bonnyville goaltender.

Fans gave their team a big cheer, thanking them for a great season and an exciting two rounds of playoff hockey. Wolverine goalie Ben Charette made 44 saves in the loss and was deservingly crowned the second Viterra Star of the Game, as without his tremendous effort, the score could’ve been much further apart. Great job, Wolverines! See you in the fall.