Wolves Sweep Bellingham, Lead Finals 2-0

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wolves opened Cascade Cup finals action at the Community Rink in Wenatchee, winning 3-2 in overtime on Friday, March 25^th and 2-1 on Saturday, March 26^th, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five finals.

On Friday, March 25^th, Bellingham led 2-1 after two, following a scoreless first period. Richie Stickle (Healy, AK) scored from Brayden Durante (New Westminster, BC) at 4:06, then in the third, Tom Ignatovich (Seattle, WA) scored from Hunter Alden (Walla Walla, WA) and Will Connors (Richland, WA) at 3:20, to tied the game 2-2. In the overtime, Coleton Booth (Delta, BC) scored at 9:06, assisted by Jonathan Banovetz (Eagle River, AK), winning the game for Wenatchee, 3-2. The Wolves outshot the Blazers 41-23. Bronson Moore (Kennewick, WA) made 21 saves for Wenatchee, who went 0-for-5 on the power play and 4-of-4 on the penalty kill.

On Saturday, March 26^th, the Wolves edged Bellingham 2-1. Hunter Hegdahl (Brookings, SD) scored from Hayden Givens (Portland, OR) and Anders Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT) at 6:24 of the first, a lead they would carry into the third. Bellingham tied it 1-1 2 minutes into the period, but Hegdahl scored his second of the game, assisted by Anders Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT) at 12:20. Wenatchee would make that stand up as the game-winner, taking the contest 2-1. Max Flynn (Wenatchee, WA) stopped 16 shots for the Wolves, who went 0-for-9 on the power play and 5-of-6 on the penalty kill.

“Our guys have battled really hard so far this series.” said Wenatchee Wolves Head Coach Ryan McKelvie. “I think two good teams giving it everything they have and we’re going to have to be ready to step it up even one more notch next weekend when we travel to Bellingham on Friday.”

Wenatchee leads the best-of-five series 2 games to none. Game three is in Bellingham on Friday, April 1^st. If game four is needed, it will be in Bellingham on Saturday, April 2^nd. If the series extends to a deciding game five, it would be in Wenatchee on Sunday, April 3^rd.

Wenatchee Wolves NPHL Hockey