Ice Wolves win third straight
The La Ronge Ice Wolves recorded their third straight win Sunday at home when they solved the Notre Dame Hounds 3-2 in overtime.
“I think that one came down to will and want,” said Ice Wolves Asst. Coach Kyle Schneider. “Three games in three nights – it’s tough. The boys were sore, the boys were tired, but they found that mental toughness to find a way to get it done.”
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening stanza. The Hounds took a 1-0 edge 14:31 into the second frame when Evan Vanden Heuvel beat Dawson Smith, who turned away 36 shots for his 16th win of the campaign.
The Ice Wolves tied the game at one 1:47 into the third frame when Dylan Handel ripped home his 13th of the season past Tucker Inabinet, who stopped 37 shots in the loss.
The Hounds restored their lead 4:57 into the period after Carson Baylis notched his 12th of the season. The Ice Wolves answered the call 5:52 into the third when Dylan Handel directed home his second of the evening, which tied the game at two.
Regulation solved nothing, so the Hounds and Ice Wolves needed overtime Sunday. Just 1:20 into the extra session, Connor Abric raced into the Hounds zone and sent a rocket past Inabinet, giving the Ice Wolves the extra point.
“It was a two-on-one, the defender was playing it well,” said Ice Wolves defenceman Connor Abric. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to get it over, so I just kind of fired one far side, hoping for the best.”
With the victory, the Ice Wolves moved back into second place. La Ronge is now 25-13-4 after winning all three games this past weekend at home.
The Ice Wolves will search for their fourth consecutive win Tuesday night in North Battleford when they meet the North Stars for the final time during the regular season.