Ice Wolves edge Hawks
Photo courtesy of Daniel Despins Photography
The La Ronge Ice Wolves dumped the Nipawin Hawks 3-2 Friday night at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
“I thought we got off to a good start in the first, we were moving our feet and making plays,” said Ice Wolves Asst. Coach Kyle Schneider. “We took a period off in the second, but Topher held us in it and he played amazing again. We didn’t quit in the third. Hats off to Zane Normand, he was determined and he put everyone on his back tonight.”
The Ice Wolves trailed 2-1 late in regulation, but they found a way to get two points. Zane Normand tallied his second of the evening 17:37 into the third, which tied the game at two.
Jacob Cossette scored the eventual game-winner with 1:19 left in regulation. Normand assisted on the marker, giving him a three-point night. Topher Chirico was brilliant in the La Ronge net, turning away 41 shots for his 11th victory of the season.
“Topher was unbelievable,” said Normand. “He was making saves that I don’t think anyone should’ve been able to make. He kept us in the game – a win wouldn’t have been possible without him.”
Meantime, Tre Fouquette and Eric Hoiness scored for the Hawks, while Corben Schnurr made 19 saves in a relief appearance. Damon Cunningham got the start in net, but he left the game early with an apparent injury.
With the victory, the Ice Wolves improved to 14-24-3 on the season, which has them sitting 11th in the SJHL standings. La Ronge is five points back of the Kindersley Klippers for the last playoff spot.
La Ronge will search for its third straight win next Friday night in North Battleford versus the North Stars.