Wolves Outscore Enforcers
By Jay Harris
Watertown, NY - After two weeks on the road, the Watertown Wolves returned to Watertown Municipal Arena to host the Elmira Enforcers. While on the road, the Wolves picked up two wins against the Mentor Ice Breakers during the first weekend of their excursion. They did not see the same success the following weekend in Danville, as the Dashers swept their two-game series. Head Coach Trevor Karasiewicz and the Wolves looked to start a fresh winning streak in their first match up with the expansion Enforcers.
Tyler Gjurich sent the puck over Passingham's shoulder to get the first goal of the game for the Wolves, with assists from Anton Lennartsson and Brandon Wahlin. Brendan Hussey tied it up for the Enforcers just thirty seconds later. Gjurich and Lennartsson worked like a dynamic duo on Gjurich's second goal to take the lead back just over halfway through the period. The Wolves defense held their ground through a 5-on-3 penalty kill and the remainder of the period to keep the Enforcers at bay.
Both teams capitalized on the power play in the second period. Elmira's too many men penalty provided the opportunity for Gjurich's hat trick goal on a play from Wahlin and new Wolf Mac Jansen. Josh Newberg lost his helmet and continued to play during the fast-paced action in front of Passingham and earned a penalty for it. Ahmed Mahfouz capitalized on the extra-man advantage and tipped the puck over Cody Karpinski's pad to bring the Enforcers within one goal again. Chemello quickly tied it up for the Enforcers after that on a fast break. George Holt took the lead back for the Wolves with help from Jansen and Yegor Kostyukov. Chemello scored his second goal of the night on a power play from Newberg's hooking penalty and tied the game again. Lennartsson regained the lead back for the Wolves on an assist from Wahlin during the power play for Glen Patterson's slashing penalty with just 90 seconds left in the period. Watertown ended the period holding the 5-4 lead.
Watertown's offense stepped it up in the third period. Holt extended the Wolves' lead on a play from Gavin Yates and Jansen. Lennartsson made it a 7-4 game with assists from Gjurich and Wahlin on his second goal of the night. Wahlin's slashing penalty allowed Brandon Vuic to score on the power play and bring the game within two goals. Yates scored on a fast break after receiving the puck from Kyle Powell and Justin Portillo to extend the lead again for Watertown. Elmira Coach Brent Clarke pulled his goaltender for the extra attacker, which allowed Vuic to snag goal number two, but the Wolves held on and scored one final empty netter by Justin Portillo, resulting in a 9-6 victory.
Gjurich's hat trick earned him the 1st Star of the Game. Lennartsson's two goals and two assists warranted his 2nd Star of the Game. Wahlin's four assists got him the 3rd Star of the Game.
The Watertown Wolves will be hosting a series with the Danville Dashers over Thanksgiving weekend. The first game will start at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 23rd.
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