The Williams Lake Midget Rep Timberwolves split a pair of games against the Quesnel Thunder over the weekend in its home openers.
Despite coming out strong in the first game Saturday Williams Lake fell behind midway through the first frame after a point shot snuck behind goaltender Cody Call.
A goal by Wendell Williams levelled the score, before Jacob Chamberlin put Williams Lake in front to finish the opening period.
A goal in the second by Darien Grace gave Williams Lake insurance, and they held on for a 3-1 victory.
Fatigue may have played a factor in the second game because Williams Lake came out flat. After conceding the opening goal yet again, Chamberlin knotted the score at one to finish the first period.
A shorthanded goal and an extended five-on-three power play for Quesnel led to three goals in the early goings of the second period. Showing their trademarked resilience, however, Williams Lake battled back with a pair of markers from Grace and a tally by Eric Nickel. But two late goals by Quesnel led to a 6-4 loss.
“I think we were just out of it, in the back 40 for the first half of the second game,” said Timberwolves’ forward Ezra Oosting. “We turned it around and got momentum going our way, but the start still hurt us and we ended up with a loss.”
Team captain Benn Taylor, who was sidelined with an injury over the weekend, said he thought the team played well.
“A few of our players broke cold streaks and that gave us a bit of confidence,” Taylor said. “We are still missing a few key players with injuries, and I think we are really going to start rolling once everyone is healthy.”
The Wolves continue a busy November schedule with five games this coming weekend at the Prince George Midget Rep Tournament. Williams Lake will face the hosts, Smithers and Chetwynd in the round robin portion of the tournament.
Darien Grace is a team member with the Williams Lake Midget Rep Timberwolves.
