Wilderness Split Series With CDA
It was another tough opponent in Wenatchee last weekend, as the Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy came to town to face off against the Wilderness to wrap up their home games at the Town Toyota Center for the 2016-17 season. With CDA being one of very few Tier 1 hockey teams in the Pacific Northwest, the neighboring state rivalry would be quick to get intense.
After a slow start by the home team in the first period of game one, the Wilderness fell behind 1-0 going into the second. After a quick pep talk, Wenatchee found their game, scoring three times in the middle frame to go up 3-1. Goals by Taylor McCall, Bryce Fetzer, and a power play goal by Grady Hartmeier helped get the Wilderness take the lead going into the third. After a quick power play goal in the third by CDA to cut the lead to one, Wenatchee responded with two more goals, another on the power play by JayVon Fogelgren, and the second of the game for Hartmeier. The Wilderness stood strong for the rest of the game, holding the 5-2 victory, opening the weekend with a win. The home team was led by Bryce Fetzer (1G-2A) and Lexi Doner (3 assists), each with 3 point efforts, while Hartmeier added two goals, including the game winner, to help secure the 2 points. Wenatchee outshot CDA 24-21 in the game, with Blake Achenbach stopping 20 shots, including a game changing back door save in the 2nd to protect the one goal lead, to earn the win.
In game 2 however, things were different. Wenatchee once again started slow, giving up the first goal of the game. In the first period, Wenatchee gave up three breakaways, causing some concern for the rest of the game. After correcting the defensive breakdowns, the Wilderness came out strong to start the second. Off a faceoff win in the offensive zone, an August Janow shot was tipped right onto the stick of Lexi Doner, who fired a shot on net. The rebound was collected by Grady Hartmeier and put home, tying the game at won. CDA scored the go-ahead goal at the end of the second to set the stage for the 3rd, and after a few unsuccessful power plays by the Wilderness, the home team was forced to pull their goalie for an extra attacker to try and tie the game. After a timeout and a faceoff win the O-zone, Wenatchee’s attempts to tie the game were matched by CDA, who scored on the empty net to secure the 3-1 win, forcing a split on the weekend. Wenatchee fired 24 shots on net, but only managed one goal on the day. Devyn Gurnard fought hard in net, stopping 27 shots.
Overall, the Wenatchee Wilderness, with help from a two game sweep by the Wenatchee Wolves, took the team series against CDA 3 games to 1, birthing a rivalry that will go on for years to come. The Wenatchee organization also outscored CDA on the weekend 15-7.
