Wenatchee Wraps Up Season Against CDA
It was an emotional weekend for the Wenatchee Wolves, as the team wrapped up their 2016-17 season at home with the parents and billet families in attendance. In the first annual Northwest Cup, the Wolves faced off against the only other U18 Tier 1 team in the Pacific Northwest, The Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy. It was the first meetings this season between the two teams.
Putting aside the distractions of parent and billet appreciation weekend, the Wolves took to the ice Saturday night focused and ready to start the weekend on a high note. In the first period, Wenatchee wasted little time, as Jed Butler threw a pass out front to Sydney Lee, who went top shelf to put the Wolves up 1-0. Thomas Hendry also picked up an assist on the play. Not long after that, Holden McCulloch and Mikey Thomas set up Richie Stickle, who fired a shot home and increased the lead for Wenatchee to end the first. Up 2-0, the Wolves tried to add to their lead in the middle frame, but chances by McCulloch and Skip Chao were stopped by the CDA netminder. After taking over some of the momentum, CDA blocked a Wenatchee dump in attempt and scored on the ensuing 2 on 1 to make it a one goal game heading into the third. While on the penalty kill, the Wolves were clinging on to their lead, when Holden McCulloch stepped up for the home team. A great individual effort to hunt down a cleared puck allowed McCulloch to strip a CDA defenseman, toe drag another, walk out front and score a beautiful shorthanded goal to swing momentum back in Wenatchee’s favor. Riding the momentum, the Wolves were not done yet, as Thomas Hendry decided to get in on the act, rifling a shot home on the rush to increase the lead. The Wolves held on to take game 1 of the weekend by a final of 4-1. Wenatchee put 26 shots on goal, and Tod Speer stopped 15/16 CDA shots to earn the win.
With game two proving to be the final game of the year for the Wolves, Wenatchee needed to finish their season out strong. Picking up right there they left off, Jack Lombard started the scoring for the Wolves, ripping a shot home to put the good guys up, 1-0. After giving up a power play goal in the second period, Richie Stickle fed Brady Mistler who, found himself on a breakaway. Making a brilliant forehand-backhand deke, the CDA goalie bit hard and found himself on the wrong side of the net, as Mistler deposited the puck into the yawning cage to put the Wolves back on top, 2-1. In the third period, Wenatchee kept their momentum, as Mistler tallied his second goal of the game, with assists going to Thomas Hendry and Jack Lombard. Shortly after, Wenatchee struck again, as three great chances in a row finally lead to the goal. Grade A opportunities by Holden McCulloch, then immediately by Hendry, were foiled by the CDA goalie, but the puck popped out to Mitch Kellerman, who buried the rebound and increased the Wolves lead, 4-1. Hayden Chieffo finished the season strong for Wenatchee, stopping 18 shots to seal the victory the home team.
With the Wolves sweeping the weekend over CDA, Wenatchee improves to an impressive 11-2-2 record in their last 15 games, good for an incredible .800 winning percentage. Wenatchee also captures the first annual Northwest Cup, setting the stage for a rivalry to go on for years with CDA.
Huge congratulations from the Wenatchee Wild Organization goes out to our 1998 birth year players: Jacob Bennett, Richie Stickle, Raymond Fleming, Mitch Kellerman, Thomas Hendry, Holden McCulloch, Johnny Schacher, Skip Chao, Tod Speer, and Hayden Chieffo. Thank you all for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to this program. These players are prime examples of what it means to be a Wenatchee Wolves player. Good luck to all of you in the future, wherever your journey takes you next.
