On Saturday the Brock Wild travelled to Manvers to take on
the Mustangs. The Wild were hungry for their first win of the season.
The first period started a little rocky for the Wild as Manvers got off to a quick 2-0 lead before the midway part of the 1st period. The first shot found its way through the 5-hole of Eric Parry just one minute in while the second one was a nice wrister that sailed just over the shoulder of Parry into the top of the net.
The Wild turned it up a notch after that 2nd goal playing even with the Mustangs for the remainder of the period as both teams exchanged several scoring chances. Parry did a good job shaking off those first 2 goals to make several nice saves and keep the score 2-0 after 1.
In the 2nd period the Wild would strike with a flurry in front of the Mustangs net that would finally result in a goal as John Malcolm would jam in the rebound off an initial shot by Mason Stewart to narrow the lead to just 2-1.
The Mustangs got some nice chances in close to extend the lead but Parry made the saves needed to keep the score 2-1 after 2 periods of play.
In the 3rd the Wild continued to attack as they would tie it up just 1 minute into the period on a nice goal by Stewart after getting a nice pass from Kaiden Smith.
The rest of the period was back and forth with both teams getting some nice chances to score. The Wild defense battled hard in our end and did a great job limiting the number of shots and getting the puck out of our end while the forwards made some nice plays and came close a few times to getting a lead. But neither team could get the go ahead goal as the period would end in a 2-2 tie.
Both teams came out hard in the 3rd with some great chances but the goalies were sharp keeping the score tied until the final 5 minutes of play. Then with just 5 minutes left the Wild would take an unfortunate penalty leading to a Mustang power play.
The Wild battled hard to kill off the penalty but just could not hold off the Mustangs. With just 4 minutes left the Mustangs would find an open man in front of the Wild net who would bury one just over the outstretched leg of Parry to take a 3-2 lead.
The Mustangs would get another big break just two minutes later. Parry would make a nice save on the initial shot but could not quite get his glove on the rebound before the Mustangs forward would put the puck up under the crossbar for a 4-2 lead.
But the Wild just would not quit. They would continue to battle hard and with just 30 seconds left, Karsyn Payne would score her first career goal as she would go hard to the net and hammer home the rebound of a shot by Smith and the Wild were right back in it 4-3!
The Wild would get another chance in the final minute as they would go all in to try to keep it in the Mustangs zone but the Mustangs created a turnover and got loose for a breakaway. Parry made a great save on the first shot but the rebound went right back onto the stick of the Mustangs forward who made a great move to flip the puck up over top of Parry with just 6.7 seconds left on the clock to secure the 5-3 win for the Mustangs.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Wild as they had played a fantastic game. If we just had one or two bounces go our way, this game could have been ours! Ever so close!
Everyone should be very proud of how hard we played.
Our defense of Malcolm, Kael Cresanto, Ethan Kirkos and Colin Lynch had a great game moving the puck up the ice and battling in the corners.
Our centers Smith, Stewart and Camden Slama battled hard all game showing great instensity at both ends of the rink.
Our wingers, Blake Brock, Borden Davidson, Nathan Giles, Bradley Pearce and Rhys Benge all did a great job getting back to help the defense while also battling hard in the Mustangs end to create scoring chances.
The Ferell player of the game went to Karsyn Payne as she had an outstanding game getting the puck out of our end and going hard to the net while also scoring a big goal!
Next up is the very tough Kawartha Red Coyotes on Thursday night at 6:00 in Beaverton. Blake Brock will start in goal.
Let’s go Wild!!