The Whitecourt Wolverines are out the gates this season with 8 wins in their first 10 games.
The Wolverines are in first place in the North Division and they moved two points clear of the Drumheller Dragons (6-2-0-0) for top spot in the Alberta Junior Hockey League thanks to Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Grizzlys in Olds.
The Black and Gold cut a 2-0 deficit in half at 2:08 of the third period when David Hoy (2007) from Fort St. John, B.C. set up Jordan Wales (2006) from Delta, B.C., however, that was as close as the Grizzlys would get. Hoy has two assists in three games since joining Olds from Portland of the Western Hockey League. For Wales, it was his second goal in the AJHL and fourth point in nine games thus far.
Wolverines defenceman Quentin Bourne (2006) from Lawndale, California distributed his third assist of the night on Brendan Ruskowski’s (2005 from Langley, B.C.) insurance goal that restored the two goal edge for Whitecourt at 11:21. The AJHL’s leading goal scorer and point getter so far this season – Jalen Bianchet (2005 from Pickering, Ontario) – would put the nail in the coffin with an empty netter at 18:07.
Olds outshot Whitecourt 15-7 in the third period. Wolverines netminder Luke McKechnie (2007) from Lumsden, Saskatchewan stopped 14 of 15 in the third and 31 of 32 for the night to earn the win. Connor Johnson (2006) from Calgary kicked out 26 of 29 for Olds. The OGs will get another shot at the Wolverines in Whitecourt on October 25th.
The Grizzlys will try to snap out of a four game losing skid when they host the Drayton Valley Thunder (2-5-1-0) on Saturday, October 18th at 6pm.
96.5 The Ranch collected post-game audio from Grizzlys right winger Finn Bagley.
The Ranch also caught up with Grizzlys forward David Hoy following Friday’s contest.
Listen to our pre-game conversation with Tyson Soloski, Head Coach of the Olds Grizzlys.
Hear more pre-game audio with Shawn Martin, Head Coach and General Manager of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
