The playoff push is on!

Talk about a nail biter. The Whitecourt Wolverines had two ferocious games back to back starting on Friday, February 21 when they took on the Spruce Grove Saints and on Saturday night when they played against the Lloydminster Bobcats. Both games took place at the Scott Safety Centre and both were highly entertaining for fans.

Just after the opening face off on Friday, it was clear that the game against the Saints was going to be different than previous matchups. The smell of playoffs was in the air and teams were pushing extra hard to keep rivals from reaching the win column. The visitors came out swinging and within the first 20 minutes they had amassed 16 shots on the Wolverines netminder. Vincent Duplessis stood tall in his crease and saved every single shot that he faced.

As for the Wolverines, they had far fewer shots on net but unlike the Saints, they were able to capitalize and make each shot count. With only seven shots on net, the Wolverines ended the first period with the lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Ethan Leyer and Ryan Wallz. In the second period neither team could find the back of their opponent’s net which kept the score 2-0 at the end of the second frame. The absence of scoring did not mean an absence of action, though, as there were 14 penalties in the period.

From high-sticking to game misconducts, roughing, hooking, tripping, cross-checking, instigator, aggressor, and even a blow to the head penalty to Wolverine Cedric Matte (which can be viewed on the Whitecourt Press Facebook page), there was definitely not a shortage of activity. In the third period, the Saints set aside their aggression and got to work. Halfway through, they managed to tie the game with two quick goals within 30 seconds. Off to overtime they went, though, it wouldn’t be a long stay. The Saints managed to rifle in the game-winning goal just 41 seconds into the extra frame ending it 3-2.

On Saturday night, the Wolverines were looking for retribution. Unfortunately for them, it would come with an uphill battle as they quickly fell 2-0 to the Lloydminster Bobcats. Just like the game before, the second period featured no scoring which left the Wolverines the third period to try and claw their way back. Thanks to goals by Cassidy Bowes and Koehn Ziemmer, the Wolverines were able to tie things up and force overtime. For the second time in 24 hours, the Wolverines needed extra time to wrap up a game and that wouldn’t be the only similarity. Sadly, the Bobcats scored first and took the extra point with a final of 3-2.

At this point in the season, the Wolverines have 31 wins, 16 loses and 10 overtime losses for a total of 72 points. They currently sit in third place in the north standings. Their next game at home will take place on Thursday, February 27 against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.

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The playoff push is in full swing as the Whitecourt Wolverines fight for every single point they can get. This past weekend, the crew battled two opponents at the Scott Safety Centre adding two big points to their total.