WC hockey update: Wolves bow out of NCSSAA playoffs, Rivermen get EOSHL OT win

KANATA – The West Carleton Secondary School (WCSS) Wolves Tier 1 non-contact boys hockey team had a great 2021 season, but just couldn’t find a way to beat Earl of March, the only team to beat the Wolves all year.

The Wolves squared off against the Lions in the lion’s den at the John G. Mlacak Community Centre Tuesday (Nov. 30) afternoon in the semi-finals of the National Capital Secondary Schools Athletic Association (NCCSA) semi-finals.

A crowd of a couple hundred, mostly students, was split fairly evenly between both teams. They were treated to an action-packed game despite the low-scoring 2-0 affair.

The Lions got both their goals in the first period. The Wolves dominated a lot of the second period, ending the period with a flurry of action in front of Earl of March’s net, drawing a penalty, but not getting a goal.

Early in the third, the Wolves drew another penalty, a double-minor, but were again unable to score with a 1:30 two-man advantage and four-minute powerplay in total.

The Wolves would draw one more power play and would pull the goalie with more than two minutes left in the game but could not find a way to solve the Lions’ defence.

The game would end on a sour note, as a bit of a brawl broke out on the ice in the waning moments of the game.

Despite the loss, it was a strong season for the Wolves. The team went 5-1 in the NCSSAA regular season finishing first in the West Division, ironically above Earl of March.

The Wolves had the best defence in the NCSSAA allowing a league low six goals against all season.

Five of those goals came in one game in the team’s only loss in the regular season, a 5-1 loss against Earl of March.

Four of the Wolves’ regular season wins were by shutout.

The team was tested in the playoffs, needing overtime to beat St. Peter’s High School 3-2 on Nov. 24 in the NCSSAA quarter-finals.

The Wolves were tied for second in the league for goals scored with 26.

Rivermen win in extra frame

FRONTENAC – It’s back in the win column for the West Carleton Rivermen heading across the river Saturday (Nov. 27) for a 5-4 overtime win against the Frontenac Phantoms (1-7-0-0-1) at the Frontenac Community Centre.

The Rivermen had to overcome a first period two-goal deficit in front of a crowd of 75 fans taking in Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (EOSHL) regular season action.

The Rivermen got two back in the second from Stittsville’s Alex Hulford and Ryan Duhaime. The Phantoms got the lead back at the end of the second period, but it was mostly all West Carleton from then on out.

The Rivermen scored the first two goals of the third period on tallies from Kanata’s Cody Waite and Gloucester’s Stephen Blunden to grab the lead for the first time in the game, but nine seconds later the Phantoms tied the game with the last goal in regulation.

Gloucester’s Zachary Rheaume would win the game for the Rivermen in overtime.

Rheuame would be named the first start of the game with one goal and two assists.

Whitby’s Mike MacDonald, playing his first game in nets in senior A hockey for the Rivermen, would stop 35 shots to pick up his first career senior A win.

The win was important for the Rivermen (7-4-0-2-1) and kept the team in second place in the West Division, one point ahead of the red-hot Tweed Oil Kings (7-2-0-1-0).

The Rivermen return home to the Bert Hall Arena this Sunday (Dec. 5) for the team’s first afternoon game of the season.

The Rivermen will face off at the Nick Smith Centre at 2:30 p.m. against the EOSHL leading Smith Falls Rideaus (11-1-0-1-0) and it will be Minor Hockey Night at the rink.

“For this game we are going to do a minor hockey night to get all the young fans out to watch some quality hockey,” the Rivermen released in a statement. “The game will be free for all kids under 18 who are wearing their minor hockey or ringette logo, or if they don’t play minor hockey or ringette then if they are wearing any logo of any hockey team. As long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.”

The game will be a battle of the top two teams in the EOSHL West Division.

“We are playing against our new rival the Smiths Falls Rideaus, who also happen to be in first place in our conference,” the Rivermen said. “Come support your local senior A hockey team and pack the stands for what is sure to be an amazing afternoon of hockey.

Proof of vaccination is required to enter the arena.

The Rivermen will also be taking part in Saturday’s (Dec. 4) stationary Santa Claus Parade at the Nicks Smith Centre from 2 to 4 p.m.

“We will be giving away some treats for the local kids and maybe even some Rivermen swag,” the team said.