The Renfrew Wolves have taken a good first step in their CCHL Playoffs Semi-Final series against the best team in the league during the regular season, the Ottawa Jr. Senators.
The Wolves came into the Jim Durrell Sports Complex on two days rest, needing six games to dispatch the Kemptville 73’s in the first round. The Jr. Senators were well rested going into Saturday night, having swept past the Smiths Falls Bears earlier in the week.
Renfrew began the game with an uncanny pressure, peppering Jr. Sens goaltender William Desmarais and breaking through early as Noah Vom Scheidt continued his hot streak to open scoring. The Wolves continued asserting themselves later into the first period as Mason Goldie was able to capitalize on a big rebound to make the score 2-0 in favour of Renfrew.
The Jr. Senators would not be caught so flatfooted for the rest of the game, as they returned fire with an onslaught of attempts against Wolves netminder Will Craig in the second period. The Wolves were able to weather the storm and find a counterattack when Elvis Slack intercepted a poor attempt from Ottawa to reset an attack in the Renfrew zone. Slack found Jakob Kalin, who drove into the attacking zone before peeling to right side of Desmarais and turning the puck to an open Connor Garcia in front of the Ottawa net to bring the score to 3-1.
Ottawa was unwilling to go silently into the night, however, and continued to push to bring the game back within reach going into the third. An early high sticking penalty offered them the opportunity, which Julian Recine made good use of it to bring the game back within 2 goals with almost all of the third period to play. They continued to push for another tally as time wound down, but the Renfrew side held on long enough to take game one, 3-1.
Will Craig was kept busy in the Renfrew net, stopping 43 of 44 shots in the win. William Desmarais made 22 saves on 25 attempts.
There will be little rest for either team, as Game Two goes Sunday at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre. Game Time is 6PM.
(written by Kasey Egan)
