Wolf Pack U16 Go One and One in New Jersey
November 10, 2008
The Wolf Pack U16 team headed to New Jersey for two games this past weekend. The team worked extremely hard in both games, and are improving greatly with each passing week.
Game one had the Wolf Pack facing New Jersey Devils Youth U16 squad. The Devils sit in third place of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. The Wolf Pack came out very strong at the start of this game, dictating the play in all three zones of the ice, and punishing the Devils with their physical play. The Wolf Pack were rewarded with a 1-0 lead, but allowed the Devils to get one back at the end of the period. The Wolf Pack score could have been higher, but the Devils' goalie had a very strong period, turning aside many high quality opportunities.
The second period saw more of the same, with the Wolf Pack taking the play to the Devils. Once again, the Devils goalie stood tall in the nets, keeping the score tied. Wolf Pack goalie, Sam Peluso, was also strong in net when called upon. In the second half of the period, with the score still tied, the Wolf Pack found themselves on a 5 on 3 power play advantage. The Wolf Pack have worked hard on the power play, and have had success as a result. This power play looked no different, with the Wolf Pack dominating the play, and looking to strike. At this point, a speedy forward from the Devils jumped on a cross ice pass and went in on a breakaway, scoring the go ahead goal. The Wolf Pack went into the break down 2-1.
The third period saw the Devils strike just 9 seconds in on a broken play that ended with a Devils' forward in alone on Peluso. The Wolf Pack continued their hard work, and got the game to within one on a nice end to end rush by defenseman, Sean McVey. The game ended with a flurry of saves by the Devils' goalie, including one goal mouth stand with seconds to go. The Wolf Pack played well, outshooting the Devils 39-36.
Players of note:
Sam Pelso- 33 saves on 36 shots
Trevor Buchas- one goal
Sean McVey- one goal
Sunday saw the Wolf Pack face off versus the New Jersey Titans. The Titans and Wolf Pack both entered the game looking for their first wins in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. The Titans came out very strong in the first five minutes. They had the Wolf Pack on their heels, and were generating a lot of opportunities by outworking the Wolf Pack in their own end. Shayne O'Brien weathered the storm for the Wolf Pack, making several key saves early in the game to keep the score tied. The Wolf Pack came to life halfway through the first period with two goals just 15 seconds apart. The first period ended with the score 2-0 in the Wolf Pack's favor.
The first half of the second period was hard fought, with most of the play in the neutral zone. At the seven minute mark, the Titans were called for a penalty. The Wolf Pack power play went to work. Derek Queno scored his first of three goals on a quick shot that found an opening between the Titans' goalie's legs. Just two minutes later, Queno found the net again, putting the Wolf Pack up 4-0. Andrew Kurjiaka added a goal on a puckhandling blunder by the Titans' goalie to make the score 5-0 for the Wolf Pack. The Titans got one back on a bad bounce off a Wolf Pack stick. The second period ended 5-1.
The Wolf Pack came out flying in the third, with Paul Amarone scoring just three minutes into the period. Connor Bouthot got his second of the game, then Queno finished off his hat trick with seven minutes to go in the game. Ken Mackiewicz added his second of the game to finish off the scoring. When the final buzzer rang, the score was 9-1 in favor of the Wolf Pack.
Players of note:
Derek Queno- 3 goals
Ken Mackiewicz- 2 goals, 1 assist
Connor Bouthot- 2 goals, 1 assist
Jimmy Padrevita- 4 assists
Shayne O'Brien- 14 saves on 15 shots
The Wolf Pack defensive core of Vaughn Guetens, Matt Jarvis, Sean McVey, Scott Casley, and Devon Fliss played exceptional the entire weekend. They helped the Wolf Pack to keep the opposition to 3 goals in 2 games.
