Blizzard 5 - Wolverines 4 SO .... About Last Night

As I said in last night's quick recap it was a tough win, a very ugly win but a win none the less.

We'll start off with an injury update on Thomas Ward-Cardinal. He has a sprained right ankle and will be out for the next 2-3 weeks. This is a blessing in disguise as at first it looked like he blew out his knee and could have torn his ACL or MCL, he's lucky that his ankle gave out first. The knee injury would have had him on the shelf for 3-5 months.

OCN had troubles defensively much too often with coverage completely collapsing for extended periods of time. Justin McDonald made timely saves as always and did very well in the shootout.

The Wolverines opened the scoring as Andrew Clark capitalized on a Justin McDonald misplay behind the net 3:47 in to the opening frame.

No more than five minutes later the Wolverines took three penalties on the same play as Zaine Walker received a game misconduct, Waywayseecappo's captain Curtis Veitch took a four minute penalty for butt-ending and Russell Turner took two for tripping.

Blizzard defenceman Nathan Bruyere would capitalize on the powerplay blowing a strong wrist shot past Riley Feser from the left point.

With 1:55 left in the first period Waywayseecappo would take a 2-1 lead as a long sequence in the offensive zone where OCN failed to clear many times led to Kyle Threndyle's first goal of the year from just outside the slot.

That goal was a perfect example of OCN's defensive misplays, the Blizzard had 3-4 chances to clear off the boards but just couldn't get it done. Whether it was a weak play off the boards or no support to the winger off the wall that's something that will continue to cost them goals all season.

In the second period OCN held control of the play leading on the shot clock 18-7. Second period goals came just 58 seconds apart from Darien Cardinal who tipped home a shot by Valiquette and Garick Gray who jammed home a point shot which sprung off the rebound.

The third period saw Garick Gray score his second goal of the game with 3:38 left as he was sprung on a breakaway by Tyler Grove, Gray made a beautiful move to beat Feser all alone. That goal gave OCN what seemed like a cushy 4-2 lead with under four minutes in third. Fans started streaming out of the GLMC thinking the game was in the bag.

But OCN's defensive troubles led to two quick goals a minute apart with under two minutes in the third as the Wolverines tied the game at four thanks to Brett Pinkerton and David Haaf who walked in off the draw and whistled a wrister past McDonald.

After a full 60 minutes of play OCN led on the shot clock 37-33 and should have been able to win the game in regulation time but overtime solved nothing.

In the shootouts Jim Mollard decided to shoot second as Waywayseecappo sent Drake Bodie out first, he was stuffed by Justin McDonald.

Mollard responded with Wilson Dumais who fired a shot glove side on Feser and moves to 2/2 on shootout attempts this season.

Both teams would have to wait until the sixth round in the shootouts when Nathan Bruyere would win the game in shootouts for OCN walking in and beating Feser with a hard snapshot blocker side on the Waywayseecappo goaltender.

Tyler Grove picked up three assists, while Garick Gray had two goals and Nathan Bruyere had a good game offensively creating some solid opportunities offensively.

Gray played his best game of the season, scary to think he's only a 94 born. He and Grove are really starting to find the scoreboard.

Justin McDonald had a hard time handling the puck tonight, normally he's very good at it, maybe it was just an off night in that area for him.

Parker Sharp looked alright in his debut, it will take time for him to adjust to his new team and surroundings, but you can see the speed and physical play that will come with time.

Eddie Bayer played his best game of the season going from the fourth to second line and fit in comfortably with Gray and Grove. He's starting to find his groove.

It's always a good sign when you play one of your worst games of the season but still find a way to win, but the Blizzard will have to tighten up defensively if they want to continue their hot start.

Pitre Tire 3 Stars:

1. Nathan Bruyere (1PPG, 1SOW)
2. Garick Gray (2G)
3. Tyler Grove (3A)

Northern Building Supply Hardest Working Player:

Garick Gray

And here's a link to a story on the Blizzard by the Winnipeg Sun.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/10/19/ocn-blizzard-blowing-over-mjhl