Wild Loses Close One At Prince George

Prince George, B.C. – The Wenatchee Wild came up short in their quest for a fourth straight win, losing to the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2 Friday night, in front of 1,119 at the Prince George Coliseum.

Prince George would score the lone goal of the opening period, as Bryan Basilico scored from Matthew Stief and Adam Brubacher at 18:07, giving the Spruce Kings a 1-0 lead after one.

In the second, the Wild tied it on a Dakota Raabe (Dana Point, CA) goal. Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY) and Bryan Yoon (Parker, CO) assisted at 2:22, squaring the game at 1-1. However, Prince George would regain the lead just 58 seconds later, as Adam Brubacher scored from Connor Logan and Parker Colley at 3:20, putting the Spruce Kings back on top after two, 2-1.

It would remain a one-goal game until past the midway point of the third period, when Joe Drabin (Rochester, NY) scored for Wenatchee on a mad scramble at the right post. Troy Conzo (Nesconset, NY) drew the lone assist at 11:56, tying the game 2-2. Prince George would regain the lead 3 ½ minutes later, as Dante Raposo scored from Stief at 15:35. The Spruce Kings would hold that lead the rest of the way, skating away with the 3-2 win.

The Wild outshot Prince George 29-17 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 14 saves for Wenatchee, Sam Tanguay had 22 saves for the Spruce Kings. The Wild was 0-for-0 on the power play and 0-of-0 on the penalty kill, as there were no penalties called in the entire game. “We need to find a way to bury our better chances.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “We definitely out-chanced them, had the much better of the chances, but our best chances, we’re not finding a way to score.”

With the loss, the Wild slips to 11-5-2-1 on the season, still in sole possession of first in the Mainland Division, while the Spruce Kings improve to 5-12-0-1. Wenatchee returns home to face Coquitlam on Friday and Saturday, November 6^th and 7^th at the Town Toyota Center starting at 7:05pm PST both nights. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Blanks Prince George

Prince George, B.C. – The Wenatchee Wild overcame a slow start Thursday night, grabbing their second-straight shutout, knocking off the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-0 at the Prince George Coliseum.

The Wild would score once in the first period, with Bryan Yoon (Parker, CO) getting credit for the goal. Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON) assisted at 12:26, giving Wenatchee a 1-0 lead after one.

Following a scoreless second period, the Wild would score twice in the third to put it away. Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) scored from Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY) and Yoon at 13:07 on a 4-on-4, giving Wenatchee a 2-0 advantage. Then, in the final minute, Troy Conzo (Nesconset, NY) would drive an unassisted goal into an empty net, giving the Wild the 3-0 win.

Wenatchee outshot Prince George 25-17 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 17 saves for the Wild for his second career BCHL shutout, extending Wenatchee’s shutout streak to 126:23. Sam Tanguay had 22 saves for the Spruce Kings. The Wild was 0-for-7 on the power play and 2-of-2 on the penalty kill. “Good road win for us.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “We saw a completely different style of hockey tonight. Prince George, they played a very defensive game, they chipped a lot of pucks out, there weren’t many out-numbered chances either way, but overall it’s a road win. Chase Perry was good in goal. I thought we got better as the game went on.”

With the win, the Wild improves to 11-4-2-1 on the season, sitting in sole possession of first in the Mainland Division, while the Spruce Kings slip to 4-12-0-1. Wenatchee plays at Prince George on Friday, October 30^th, then returns home to face Coquitlam on Friday and Saturday, November 6^th and 7^th at the Town Toyota Center starting at 7:05pm PST both nights. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wolves Grab Yet Another Sweep

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wolves, proud members of the Northern Pacific Hockey League, had another successful weekend in the NPHL, defeating the Bellingham Blazers twice in Bellingham, 2-0 and 7-1.

In Friday, October 23rd’s 2-0 win over Bellingham, Thomas Hendry (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Richie Stickle (Healy, AK) scored the goals, while Max Flynn (Wenatchee, Washington) stopped all 22 shots he faced for the Wolves, who went 1-for-6 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill.

On Saturday, October 24^th, 12 different players registered points, in a 7-1 win. Hendry and Jack Newhouse (Anchorage, AK) led the way with two goals apiece. Bronson Moore (Kennewick, WA) made 32 saves for Wenatchee, which went 1-for-5 on the power play and 4-of-4 on the penalty kill.

“It was a good weekend to go on the road and obviously get two wins.” said Wenatchee Wolves Head Coach Ryan McKelvie. “It’s good for our young team to learn how to play day in and day out and go on the road after a long trip to Minnesota and still perform at a high level. I thought our energy was low on Friday, but the guys responded well on Saturday with a good win against a good team.”

The Wolves are 9-0-0-0 on the season, 6 points ahead of Eugene in the NPHL standings. The Wolves next play against the Seattle Ravens, in Seattle on Friday, October 30^th at 6:35pm and then in Wenatchee on Saturday, October 31^st at 2:35pm.

WENATCHEE WOLVES NPHL HOCKEY

Wild Blanks Surrey

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild controlled the game from start to finish, beating the Surrey Eagles 8-0 Sunday night in front of 2,254 at the Town Toyota Center.

Wenatchee would score three times in the first. Joe Drabin (Rochester, NY) scored at 4:33, assisted by Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON), giving the Wild a 1-0 lead. Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV) added to the lead with a shorthanded goal, assisted by August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) at 11:02, making it a 2-0 game. Then, at 17:39, Josh Bell (St. Louis, MO) scored from Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA), giving the Wild a 3-0 lead after one.

Wenatchee would add three more in the second. Baker scored a power play goal from Drabin and Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL) at 41 seconds for a 4-0 lead. Alex Bates lit the lamp at 9:55, assisted by Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB) and Christensen, increasing the lead to 5-0. Then, at 10:16, Drabin scored from Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY) and Dakota Raabe (Dana Point, CA), putting the Wild up 6-0 after two.

In the third, Wenatchee would put the game away with a pair of power play goals in the third. Raabe scored from Coyne and Troy Conzo (Nesconset, NY) at 6:26, then Drabin rounded out his hat trick with a goal assisted by Christensen and Harris at 17:01 and the Wild would go on to win it, 8-0.

Wenatchee outshot Surrey 51-19 on the night. Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda, CA) made 19 saves for the Wild for his first career BCHL shutout, while Daniel Davidson and Jason Sandhu combined to make 43 saves for the Eagles. Wenatchee was 3-for-6 on the power play and 4-of-4 with a shorthanded goal for on the penalty kill. “All the way around, there’s not much not to like with the effort tonight.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “All four lines, six D, Nieto, everyone played well. On the weekend, we got 5 of 6 again, progress. Taking steps in the right direction. A long way to go but we’re definitely seeing progress.”

With the win, the Wild improves to 10-4-2-1 on the season, sitting in sole possession of first in the Mainland Division. The Eagles are now 4-12-0-0. Wenatchee plays at Prince George on Thursday and Friday, October 29^th and 30^th, then returns home to face Coquitlam on Friday and Saturday, November 6^th and 7^th at the Town Toyota Center starting at 7:05pm PST. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Outguns Surrey

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild won a run and gun game with the Surrey Eagles Saturday night, winning 7-5 in front of 3,112 at the Town Toyota Center.

After an Owen Johnson goal, assisted by John Wesley and Ty Westgard gave Surrey the lead 58 seconds into the contest, Joe Drabin (Rochester, NY) would strike twice. The first, just 12 seconds after the Eagles had taken the lead, was assisted by Troy Conzo (Nesconset, NY) and Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON) at 1:10, tying the game 1-1. Drabin’s second goal, assisted by Alex Bates (Highlands Ranch, CO) and Baker at 7:55, gave Wenatchee the lead 2-1. Surrey’s Kyle Star scored from Matthew Hermary at 13:29 to tie the game 2-2, but the Wild would score late in the period to regain the lead. Dakota Raabe (Dana Point, CA) scored at 18:21, with Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) and Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA) drawing the assists, giving Wenatchee a 3-2 lead after one.

The Eagles would strike quickly in the second to square the score. Darius Davidson scored a shorthanded goal from Nick Azar 18 seconds into the second, tying the game 3-3. However, the Wild would respond as they did in the first. Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB) fired one home, with the assists going to Stephan and Bryan Yoon (Parker, CO) at 44 seconds. The power play goal put Wenatchee on top for good, at 4-3. They would grab a two-goal lead on another power play goal, this one by Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL). Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV) and Drabin assisted at 7:52, putting the Wild up 5-3. After a Darius Davidson goal from Ty Westgard at 10:16 brought Surrey within one at 5-4, Wenatchee would regain the two-goal lead at 7-5, as August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) scored, assisted by Christensen and Drabin at 17:51, putting the Wild up 6-4 after two.

In the third, the Eagles’ John Wesley netted a power play goal from Kodi Schwarz and Tyler Andrews at 13:57, drawing Surrey within one, at 6-5. But Wenatchee would hold on from there, adding a Conzo empty net goal at 19:42 from Milliken and Drabin, giving the Wild the 7-5 win.

Wenatchee outshot the Eagles 48-28 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 23 saves for the Wild and Daniel Davidson had 41 saves for Surrey. Wenatchee was 2-for-7 on the power play and 4-of-5 on the penalty kill. “It’s nice to score a lot of goals.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “We made a lot of plays tonight. Nice to score seven. You’re never happy giving up five. Both teams were opportunistic, I was just happy with our overall effort.”

With the win, the Wild improve to 9-4-2-1 on the season, moving back into sole possession of first in the Mainland Division. The Eagles are now now 4-11-0-0. The Wild stay home to face Surrey on Sunday, October 25^th, at the Town Toyota Center starting at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Tie Alberni Valley

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild fell behind late, but responded quickly to tie the game, en route to a 3-3 tie with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, in front of 2,507 at the Town Toyota Center.

After a scoreless first period, Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) would slam the puck into a wide open net, to put the Wild on the board. Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY) assisted on the power play goal at 5:15, putting Wenatchee up 1-0. The Bulldogs would tie it less than two minutes later, as Nathan Dingmann scored from Tyler Cooper at 6:59. That goal knotted the game at 1-1. However, Bryan Yoon (Parker, CO) blew home a point shot for a power play goal at 15:19, assisted by Coyne and Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB), giving the Wild a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes.

In the third, Alberni Valley scored twice to take the lead. Dingmann scored a power play goal from Scott Clark at 16:14 to tie it 2-2, then Cooper scored from Dingmann at 18:16, putting the Bulldogs on top, 3-2. But, Wenatchee would respond less than a minute later, as August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) poked home a loose puck for the game-tying goal. The assists went to Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA) and Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL) at 18:56 and the game was tied 3-3.

The two teams battled through a 5-minute 4-on-4 overtime, then a 5-minute 3-on-3 overtime with no scoring and the game would end in a 3-3 tie.

The Wild would outshoot Alberni Valley 36-35 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 32 saves for Wenatchee and Carson Schamerhorn had 33 saves for the Bulldogs. Wenatchee was 2-for-6 on the power play and 3-of-4 on the penalty kill. “That was an interesting game.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “Obviously, we played a lot of hockey in the month of October, that you could see that legs on our team were a factor. Kind of wore down towards the end but I give our kids credit, we found a way, we battled back, that will probably be an awful big point for us at some point in the season.”

With the tie, the Wild move to 8-4-2-1 on the season, tied for first in the Mainland Division with Chilliwack. Alberni Valley is now 4-7-1-1. The Wild stay home to face the Surrey Eagles Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. Both contests at the Town Toyota Center start at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Lose At Chilliwack

Chilliwack, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild scored first, but couldn’t get another, going down to the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-1 Wednesday, in front of 1,922 at the Prospera Centre.

Wenatchee struck first on a Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL) power play goal late in the first period. The puck snuck through the goaltender and rolled towards the goal line, where Christensen was waiting to bang it home. The assists went to Joe Drabin (Rochester, NY) and August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) at 18:30, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead after one.

In the second, Chilliwack would score three times. Connor McCarthy scored from Jesse Lansdell at 2:02, Vimal Sukumaran scored from Jordan Kawaguchi at 13:13, and then Sukumaran scored from Kawaguchi and Darien Craighead at 16:40 on the power play, giving the Chiefs a 3-1 lead after two.

In the third, Kale Kane would add an unassisted, shorthanded goal at 2:18 and Chilliwack would go on from there for the 4-1 win.

Shots were even at 27 apiece. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made several big saves for Wenatchee amongst his 23 stops to keep the game close. Matteo Esposito had 26 saves for the Chiefs. The Wild was 1-for-5 with a shorthanded goal against on the power play and 5-of-6 on the penalty kill.

With the loss, Wenatchee slips to 8-4-1-1 on the season, tied for first in the Mainland Division with Langley, while Chilliwack improves to 7-5-1-2. The Wild return home to face Alberni Valley on Friday, October 23^rd, and Surrey Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. All three contests at the Town Toyota Center start at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Close Island Trip With Win At Nanaimo

Port Alberni, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild overcame a pair of first period power play goals against Saturday night, coming back to beat the Nanaimo Clippers 4-2 in front of 1,528 at the Frank Crane Arena.

Devin Brosseau opened the scoring for Nanaimo, assisted by Sheldon Rempal and Will Reilly at 5:09 of the opening period, putting the Clippers on top, 1-0. Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL) evened things up for Wenatchee at the 9:55 mark, assisted by Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV), tying the game 1-1. Nanaimo would regain the lead just shy of the 14 minute mark on a Zach Court goal. Chris Dodero and Corey Renwick assisted at 13:37, giving the Clippers a 2-1 lead after one.

In the second, Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) blew a wrister from the slot past the goaltender for the unassisted tying goal at 2:22, squaring the game for the Wild at 2-2.

Wenatchee would add a pair of goals in the third. Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY) banged one home in close, assisted by Stephen and Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB) at 23 seconds, putting the Wild on top, 3-2. Then late in the period, Dakota Raabe (Dana Point, CA) scored an empty net, power play goal at 19:39, off assists from Stephan and Coyne, giving Wenatchee the 4-2 win.

Nanaimo outshot the Wild 29-21. Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda, CA) made 27 saves for Wenatchee, while Jonathan Reinhart had 17 stops for the Clippers. The Wild went 1-for-5 on the power play and 7-of-9 on the penalty kill. “As far as tonight’s game in Nanaimo, I was very proud of the effort.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “Our third game in three nights, four ferry rides, a couple of 12 and 10 hour trips to get here, playing a team that was fresh, to muster up enough effort to find a way to win today, I was proud of the effort. As far as the weekend, picking up 5 of 6 points on a very difficult trip, I couldn’t be happier.”

With the win, Wenatchee improves to 8-3-1-1 on the season, moving back into sole possession of first place in the Mainland Division. Nanaimo slips to 7-6-0-0. The Wild are back in action with a Wednesday, October 21^st game at Chilliwack, then return home to face Alberni Valley on Friday, October 23^rd, and Surrey Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. All three contests at the Town Toyota Center start at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Win In Double Overtime At Alberni Valley

Port Alberni, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild played their second double overtime game in as many nights Friday, this time coming out on the winning end of a 2-1 score over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, in front of 1,068 at Weyerhaeuser Arena.

After a scoreless first period, Alberni Valley got on the board in the second period on a Nathan Dingmann goal, assisted by Josh Adkins and Garrett Halls at 2:31, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead they would carry into the third.

Wenatchee would tie the game in the third. Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) scored off a centering pass from Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY). Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA) also assisted on the goal at 3:46, knotting the game 1-1 and forcing overtime.

After a scoreless four-on-four overtime, the teams went to a three-on-three extra session. In the second extra session, Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV) found defenseman Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB) alone in front of the Alberni Valley net. Milliken would settle the puck and bang it home for the winning goal at 3:31, giving the Wild the 2-1 win.

Wenatchee outshot the Bulldogs 39-28. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 27 saves for the Wild, while Chris Tai had 37 stops for Alberni Valley. Wenatchee went 0-for-5 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill. “I think Thursday night took a lot out of us with the double overtime.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “I don’t think we had a lot of jump tonight. We hung in there long enough to battle to get to overtime and find a way to win in overtime. So, we’ll take the points and move on and see if we can keep collecting points on this road trip.”

With the win, the Wild improves to 7-3-1-1 on the season, remaining in a first-place tie with Langley in the Mainland Division. Alberni Valley falls to 4-7-0-0. Wenatchee concludes their road swing to the Island Division in Nanaimo on Saturday October 17^th. The game will be broadcast on Newsradio 560 KPQ. After a Wednesday, October 21^st game at Chilliwack, the Wild returns home to face Alberni Valley on Friday, October 23^rd, and Surrey Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. All three contests at the Town Toyota Center start at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Drop Heartbreaker At Powell River

Powell River, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild battled all night long but came up just short, losing to the Powell River Kings 2-1 in double overtime Thursday night.

Kyle Betts scored from Tristan Mullin and Jack Long at 10:50 of the opening period and the Kings would take a 1-0 lead after one.

Wenatchee would tie the game in the second. Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA) scored on a screen shot from the right point, off assists from Josh Bell (St. Louis, MO) and Brandon Puricelli (St. Louis, MO) at 6:25, squaring the game 1-1 heading into the third period.

Both teams would battle through the third period and a four-on-four overtime period, leaving the game tied 1-1, heading into a three-on-three overtime session. In the second OT, Mullin picked up a loose puck at the blue line and skated in on goal, wristing a shot top shelf for the game winner. The unassisted goal, coming at 4:16 on the second extra period, gave Powell River the 2-1 win.

The Wild outshot the Kings 31-18 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 16 saves for Wenatchee, while Jeff Smith had 30 stops for the Kings. The Wild went 0-for-3 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill.

With the loss, Wenatchee slips to 6-3-1-1 on the season, while Powell River improves to 10-3-0-0. The Wild continues their road trip to the Island Division in Alberni Valley on Friday, October 16th, before ending up in Nanaimo on Saturday October 17^th. Both games will be broadcast on Newsradio 560 KPQ. After a Wednesday, October 21^st game at Chilliwack, the Wild returns home to face Alberni Valley on Friday, October 23^rd, and Surrey Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. All three contests at the Town Toyota Center start at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wolves Grab Another Sweep

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wolves, proud members of the Northern Pacific Hockey League, had another successful weekend in the NPHL, defeating the West Sound Warriors twice in Bremerton, 6-0 and 9-2.

In Friday, October 9th’s 6-0 win over West Sound, Thomas Hendry (Salt Lake City, Utah) scored twice, while Hayden Givens (Portland, Oregon), Coleton Booth (Delta, British Columbia) and Will Connors (Richland, Washington) added a goal and assist each. Bronson Moore (Kennewick, Washington) stopped all 13 shots he faced for Wenatchee, which went 1-for-9 on the power play and 6-of-6 on the penalty kill.

On Saturday, October 10^th, 12 different players registered points, in a 9-2 win. Givens led the way with 2 goals and 2 assists, while Richie Stickle Healy, Alaska) chipped into the attack with a goal and 2 assists. The Wolves went 1-for-8 on the power play and 5-of-7 on the penalty kill.

“The guys played hard last weekend.” said Wenatchee Wolves Head Coach Ryan McKelvie. “It’s always good to be successful on the road. Our focus remains on getting better every day and we’ve got a big challenge coming up going to the second NAPHL showcase. Looking to take a step forward in our performance as to where we were at a month ago.”

Wenatchee is now first at 7-0-0-0 on the season, 4 points ahead of Eugene in the NPHL standings. The Wolves next play in the NAPHL Showcase October 16^th through 19^th in Blaine, Minnesota.

Next NPHL action for Wenatchee is a two-game series in Bellingham on October 23rd and 24^th.

WENATCHEE WOLVES NPHL HOCKEY

Wild Drop Weekend Finale To Powell River

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild came out firing again Sunday night, but it was all Powell River on the scoreboard, as the Kings beat Wenatchee 6-0 in front of 2,162 at the Town Toyota Center.

Austin Kramer opened the scoring, assisted by Nick Halagian and Jeremy Leipsic at 1:19. The lead grew late in the period, as Carter Turnbull scored from Kyle Betts and Tristan Mullin at 17:17, giving Powell River a 2-0 lead after one.

The Kings scored once in the second. Turnbull scored from Rylan Ball at 3:08, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes.

Powell River broke the game open with a three goal third. Turnbull scored a pair of unassisted goals, his third and fourth of the night, at 7:55 and 11:07. Then, Tristan Mullin scored a power play goal from Turnbull at 13:39 and the Kings would skate it out from there for the 6-0 win.

The Wild outshot Powell River 47-31. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 25 saves for Wenatchee, who went 0-for-6 on the power play and 3-of-4 on the penalty kill. Jeff Smith made 47 saves for the Kings. “Well, that’s frustrating.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “I thought we played awful well for the first 50 minutes, probably deserved a better fate. I definitely think our chances were better than theirs, they were able to get the puck behind our goaltender. When you start playing catch up hockey you start pressing and even though you’re keeping the puck in their end, you’re pressing and you take chances and you give up a couple of scoring opportunities, they go down to the other end and score. For the first 50 I was pretty proud of our effort. I thought we created many good chances to score. It’s a little snake bit right now with a few guys so, we’ll have to shake that off before we get on the road here.”

With the loss, the Wild slip to 6-3-1-0 on the season, while Powell River improves to 9-3-0-0. Wenatchee now hits the road for three-in-three nights, starting Thursday, October 15^th at Powell River, then Friday, October 16^th, the scene shifts to Alberni Valley, before ending up in Nanaimo on Saturday October 16^th. All games will be broadcast on Newsradio 560 KPQ. After a Wednesday, October 21^st game at Chilliwack, the Wild returns home to face Alberni Valley on Friday, October 23^rd, and Surrey Saturday and Sunday, October 24^th and 25^th. Tickets available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

Battle For The Border

Wild Steamroll Coquitlam To Snap Skid

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild came out firing on all cylinders Saturday night, snapping a 3-game slide in the process with an 8-1 win over the Coquitlam Express before an opening night crowd of 3,723 at the Town Toyota Center.

In the first, Tyler Rockwell (San Jose, CA) scored five-hole from the right circle, off assists from Blake Christensen (Lauderhill, FL) and Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) at 4:01. The power play goal put the Wild up 1-0. Christensen would add to the lead just over three minutes later, scoring top shelf from the right circle, assisted by Matt Burchill (Marshfield, MA) at 7:41, upping the lead to 2-0. The lead would grow some more late in the period, as August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) snapped one home from the left circle. The unassisted goal, coming at 18:20, gave Wenatchee a 3-0 lead after one.

The Express would score off the opening draw of the second period to get back in the game. Jackson Cressey scored from Taylor Green at 7 seconds, making it a 3-1 game. However, the Wild would get that one back and more. Joe Drabin (Rochester, NY) scored from Hunter Alden (Walla Walla, WA) at 9:27, increasing the lead to 4-1. Then, in the final minute of the period, Brandon Puricelli (St. Louis, MO.) scored off a nice feed from behind the net by Josh Bell (St. Louis, MO) at 19:36. Rockwell also assisted on the goal, giving Wenatchee a 5-1 lead through 40 minutes.

The Wild would add three more in the third. Drabin would score from Von Ungern and Burchill at 2:15 to make it 6-1. The lead grew to 7-1 at 5:49 on a Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV) goal, assisted by Christensen and Aaron Murray (Chino, CA). Wenatchee’s Christensen would round out the scoring, assisted by Harris at 12:56 and the Wild would go on from there to the 8-1 win.

Wenatchee outshot Coquitlam 48-25. Chase Perry (Andover, MN) made 24 saves for the Wild, who went 1-for-2 on the power play and 4-of-4 on the penalty kill. Lawson Fenton made 40 saves for the Express. “Tonight, right from the warmup, there was a lot of energy in the building.” said Wenatchee Wild Associate Coach Tom Rudrud. “I think our guys played off of that. We played with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of urgency and as a result we were able to put some pucks behind their goaltender.”

With the win, Wenatchee improves to 6-2-1-0 on the season, while Coquitlam slips to 5-5-1-1. The Wild hosts the Powell River Kings on Sunday, October 11th Saturday, October 10^th, with faceoff at the Town Toyota Center set for 7:05pm PDT. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274. 

Battle For The Border

Wild Blanked At Langley

Langley, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild threw plenty of rubber at the opponents’ goal Friday night but it was all for naught, as the Langley Rivermen beat the Wild 3-0 in front of 1,102 fans at the Langley Events Centre.

In the first, the home team scored in the opening minute as Luke Voltin banged one home in tight from Zac Masson at 56 seconds, giving Langley the 1-0 lead. The advantage would grow just past the 11 minute mark, as Ryan Barrow scored a power play goal from Justin Szeto at 11:06, giving the Rivermen a 2-0 lead after one.

After a scoreless second period, Matty Saharchuk would score a power play goal from Ben Butcher at 7:39. That would round out the scoring, as Langley secured the 3-0 win.

Wenatchee outshot the Rivermen 37-18 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, MN), made 15 saves for the Wild, while Nickolas Trenciansky had 37 saves for Langley. Wenatchee went 0-for-6 on the power play and 5-of-7 on the penalty kill. “Well, that’s a frustrating one.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “We got down on a couple of mistakes early, where it’s tough to lose a game where you don’t give up 20 shots. You out chance and outshoot a team by 20, that’s tough but it’s a good lesson to learn. Some of the mistakes we made early, we’re down 2-nothing having given up three shots, I can’t blame Chase (Perry) for one of them. We gave up a couple of great chances, need to do a better job of taking care of the puck.”

With the loss, the Wild is now 5-2-1-0 on the season, while the Rivermen improve to 7-2-0-0. Wenatchee plays their home opener against the Coquitlam Express on Saturday, October 10^th, with faceoff at the Town Toyota Center set for 7:05pm PDT. Tickets are available at the door, at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825 or 509-888-7274.

 

Battle For The Border

Wild Unbeaten Streak Ends In Loss At West Kelowna

West Kelowna, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild led after 40 minutes but couldn’t withstand a third-period rally Saturday by the home team, losing to the West Kelowna Warriors 4-2 in BCHL action at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna, British Columbia.

West Kelowna led 1-0 after one, on a Kyle Marino goal, assisted by Kylar Hope just 45 seconds from the end of the period.

In the second, two power play goals would give the Wild the lead. The first came from Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, NV), off assists from August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) and Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON) at 1:10, tying the game 1-1. The second was scored by Mike Coyne (Buffalo, NY), assisted by Tyler Rockwell (San Jose, CA) and Kyle Stephan (Barrie, ON) at 10:04, putting Wenatchee on top, 2-1 through 40 minutes.

In the third, the Warriors scored three times. At 6:50 Hope scored from Kyle Marino, tying the game 2-2. Then, Garrett Forster put West Kelowna on top with a goal just 19 seconds later, assisted by Jonathan Desbiens and Scott Allan at 7:09, putting the Warriors up 3-2. Finally, Liam Blackburn scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal at 17:40 and West Kelowna would hold on from there for the 4-2 win.

The Warriors outshot the Wild 25-18 on the night. Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda, California), in his BCHL debut, made 21 saves for Wenatchee, while Stephen Heslop had 16 saves for West Kelowna. The Wild went 2-for-10 with a shorthanded goal against on the power play and were a perfect 5-of-5 on the penalty kill, giving them 15 consecutive penalty kills over the past three-plus games. “We got taught a good lesson tonight.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “When you show up to play in the BCHL, it’s a 60-minute hockey game. You need to make a commitment and sacrifice for 60 minutes and tonight we were a little bit shy of that.”

With the loss, Wenatchee is now 5-1-1-0 on the season, while the Warriors improve to 5-3-0-0. The Wild plays at Langley on Friday, October 9^th, before playing their home opener against the Coquitlam Express on Saturday, October 10^th, with faceoff at the Town Toyota Center set for 7:05pm PDT. Tickets are available at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825.

Battle For The Border

Wild Come Back To Gain 4-4 Tie At Salmon Arm

Salmon Arm, BC. – The Wenatchee Wild found themselves down at the end of the second for the first time this season, but battled back and grabbed a 4-4 double-overtime tie against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Friday night, in front of 1,135 at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

The Wild led 1-0 after one on an August Von Ungern (Boise, ID) goal, assisted by Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON) and Blake Christensen (Naples, FL) at 6:24. The power play goal gave Wenatchee a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.

In the second, Salmon Arm scored three times, twice a man down. They would score a 5-on-5 goal at 9:25, as Nick Hutchison scored from Jared Turcotte, knotting the score 1-1. The Silverbacks would take the lead moments later, as Colton Thibault scored from Brett Stewart at 10:50, putting the home team on top, 2-1. The Wild tied the game on a Von Ungern goal, his second of the night. Logan Milliken (Canmore, AB) and Troy Conzo (Nesconset, NY) assisted at 15:57, squaring the contest at 2-2. Salmon Arm regained the lead late, as Taro Hinose scored from Ross Heidt at 18:35, giving the Silverbacks a 3-2 lead after two.

Moving on to the third, Matt Baker (Midhurst, ON) scored an unassisted goal at the 14:29 mark, tying the game 3-3. Salmon Arm would regain the lead just over a minute later, as Stewart scored, off assists by Ryley Booth and Turcotte at 15:51. That goal put the ‘backs on top at 4-3. But, with just over two minutes to play, Conzo took a pass from Bryan Yoon (Parker, CO) and scored five-hole at 17:54, tying the game for Wenatchee 4-4.

The two teams then battled through two five-minute overtime periods, the first played 4-on-4, the second 3-on-3, but neither team could score the winner and the game ended in the 4-4 tie.

Shots were tied 35-35. Chase Perry (Andover, MN), playing his sixth consecutive game, stopped 31 shots for the Wild , as did Angus Redmond for Salmon Arm. Wenatchee went 1-for-5 on the power play with two short-handed goals against and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill. “Two pretty evenly matched teams tonight.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “Happy we were able to find a way to come back from being down a couple of times and it’s also tough when you lose a special teams battle. We gave up two shorties tonight. We did score a power play goal, a little unlucky on the power play tonight. The one shot went off our guy’s helmet, they ended up getting a breakaway and scoring. Second one we were breaking the puck out and we stepped on their stick and fell down, they picked the puck up and scored. We were just a little unlucky, but overall pretty proud of the effort, that we found a way to battle back and pick up a point.”

With the tie, Wenatchee is now 5-0-1-0 on the season, while the Silverbacks move to 4-1-2-0. The Wild plays at West Kelowna on Saturday, October 3^rd, then Langley on Friday, October 9^th, before playing their home opener against the Coquitlam Express on Saturday, October 10^th, with faceoff at the Town Toyota Center set for 7:05pm PDT. Tickets are available at the Wild office, or by calling 509-888-7825.