Weekend Recap - Home Opener

The Wolves took to the ice for their first two games of the season this past weekend, with a matchup against the Central Alberta Amazons on Saturday and the Sherwood Park Steele on Sunday, both at Castledowns. 10 rookies got their first taste of league play as the Wolves came out of the weekend undefeated with a tie against the Amazons and a victory over the Steele.

The first period of the home opener against the Amazons on Saturday started off strong with the Wolves quickly taking the lead as #7 Nayha Johal scored her first goal as a Wolf in a scramble in front of the net. Assists went to #8 Payden Bialowas and #6 Brooklyn Piebiak who helped her dig that puck out and bury it. As the period drew to a close #17 Bree Edwards took the puck down ice in a 2 on 1 and fed a rebound shot that landed on #88 Talia Teliani's stick, which she then dangled around the goalie to bury the Wolves' second goal. The second period passed by with both teams having chances back and forth until the Wolves had a power play with a minute and a half left to play. #13 Moira Bryan dropped the puck down the wall to #25 Rory Bothwell who then walked the puck up and over the top of the circle before roofing it top corner for her first goal as a Wolf. Not long after the Amazons answered back on a 2 on 1 and put the puck past #30 Andrea Peric to leave the score at 3-1 for the Wolves heading into the third period. The Amazons picked up the pace in the third period and were able to score 2 goals to tie up the game. The Wolves battled back but were unfortunately unable to gain the lead again before the end of the third period. Unfortunately due to time constraints, the two teams were unable to play overtime to decide on a clear winner and so the game was ended in a tie, 3-3. Player of the Game was awarded to Bothwell for her first goal and overall excellent play throughout the game.

The Wolves were back at it again on Sunday against the Steele. Both teams traded chances back and forth throughout the first period until Edwards was able to put one up over the goalie and into the net off of a pass from #14 Logan Basterash. The Wolves kept a close lead over the Steele until about a quarter of the way into the second period, when the Steele scored on the power play to even the game at 1-1. Both teams battled through the third period, but the goaltenders held strong and regulation time would end with the game tied 1-1 going into overtime. After battling through a difficult penalty kill during overtime, Edwards intercepted the puck behind Steele defence. She took the puck down the ice on a breakaway and slid the puck between the goaltender's legs after making a quick move to score the game winning goal, giving the Wolves their first win of the season, 2-1. Peric got her first win as a Wolf and Player of the Game went to Edwards for scoring both of the Wolves goals, and especially the overtime winner.

The Wolves are back in action next weekend in another set of home games. They play the Lethbridge Eagles on Saturday at 5:45 pm at Castledowns, and the Cochrane Chaos on Sunday at 1:30 pm at Confederation Leisure Centre. Stay tuned to see if the Wolves can continue their undefeated season and which rookie will be next to score their first goal! We hope to see you there!