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By GREG NESBITT
Crossroads This Week
February 25th, 2011 Edition

Brett Lafond scored the shootout winner as the Waywayseecappo Wolverines edged the Swan Valley Stampeders 4-3 in front of 678 fans in Swan River on Wednesday, Feb. 23.  The win had no effect on standings, with the Stampeders finishing fourth and the Wolverines fifth in the Sher-Wood Division.  The Wolverines will crossover to the Addison Division and play either the Winkler Flyers or Selkirk Steelers in a best of seven quarter final series. As of press time, the Flyers were in first place and two games remaining. The Steelers were three points back, with three games to play. Watch for dates to be announced early next week, with the series likely opening in one of the eastern Manitoba communities late next week.

The Wolverines trailed 3-1 in the third period, but got goals from Brett Pinkerton and Ryan Duhaime to force overtime. Ashley Howie opened the scoring for Waywayseecappo in the first. Ryan Marshall scored a pair of goals for the hosts, who led 2-1 after the second period. Shelby Gray was the other marksman.  Jason Argue stopped 39 shots in goal for the Stampeders, while Brett Gagnon made 40 saves for the Wolverines.

Waywayseecappo 4 Dauphin 3 (SO)
The Wolverines made short work of the shootout, scoring on their first two shots to record a 4-3 win over the Kings in front of 541 fans in Waywayseecappo on Monday, Feb. 21. Ryan Duhaime, Josh Daley and Dave Williams scored in regulation for the hosts. Shane Luke had a pair for the Kings, while Kyle Johnson had the other.  Dauphin led 1-0 after the first period, but the teams were tied 2-2 after 40 minutes.  Brett Gagnon finished with 31 saves in the Wolverines' goal, while Brett Willows stopped 39 shots for the Kings.

Dauphin 6 Wolverines 3
Colton Graf and Matt Spafford each scored twice to power the Kings to a 6-3 win over the Wolverines in front of 498 customers in Waywayseecappo on Saturday, Feb. 19. The Kings led 3-1 after the first period and increased the margin to three with the only goal of the second.  The Wolverines mounted a comeback in the third on powerplay goals by Dave Williams and Stephane Robidoux. It was Robidoux's second goal of the game.  However, Calvin Cairns gave the Kings a two-goal advantage midway through the period, and Riley Gillies added an insurance marker with 24 seconds left.  Ryan Bembridge faced 38 shots in the Kings' goal, while Brett Gagnon was tested 26 times.

WOLV TALK - The Wolverines close out their regular season by hosting Swan Valley on Friday, Feb. 25... Paul Van De Velde, who was named to the MJHL 1st All-Star Team this week, is fifth in league scoring with 71 points... Brett Pinkerton, who has 52 points on the season, earned a spot on the league's Rookie All-Star Team... The Wolverines were winless in four games against the Winkler Flyers this season, while they finished 2-2 against the Selkirk Steelers. The wins were in overtime and a shootout, while one of the losses was in overtime.

By GREG NESBITT
Crossroads This Week
February 18th, 2011 Edition

The Waywayseecappo Wolverines didn't do themselves any favors over the past week, dropping all three Manitoba Junior Hockey League games.  What this means is that the Wolverines still are not assured of a spot in post season play as of press time on Thursday.  The Wolverines sit in fifth place in the Sher-Wood Division, four points back of the Swan Valley Stampeders and nine points up on the Neepawa Natives.  Should the Wolverines finish fifth, they would crossover and receive the fourth playoff spot in the Addison Division and play either the Selkirk Steelers or Winkler Flyers, who are in a dog fight for first place.  Should the Wolverines move into fourth place, they would play either the Portage Terriers, Dauphin Kings or OCN Blizzard in a first round series.  If the Wolverines happen to go winless in their last four games, and the Neepawa Natives win five of their remaining six games, they would finish sixth and miss the playoffs.

Portage 6 Wolverines 4
Former Yellowhead AAA Midget Chief Shaquille Merasty of Minnedosa scored twice as the Terriers downed the Wolverines 6-4 in front of 523 disappointed fans in Waywayseecappo on Tuesday, Feb. 15.  The teams were tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, but the Terriers held a 4-3 advantage after 40 minutes.  Brendan Harms, Tyler Moore, Stephane Pattyn and Brent Wold added singles for the Terriers, who have a four point lead on the Dauphin Kings as the press time.  Matt Malenstyn had a pair of goals for the Wolverines, who saw their record fall to 27-24-7 on the season. Josh Daley and Brett Pinkerton chipped in with singles.  Kirk Coswell and Jason Kasdorf combined to make 23 saves in the Terriers' net, while Ryan Benitez and Brett Gagnon finished with a total of 20 saves.

Selkirk 4 Wolverines 2
Adam Stoykewych scored the game winner early in the third period as the Steelers downed the Wolverines 4-2 in front of 564 fans in Selkirk on Saturday, Feb. 12.  Colan Jackson added an insurance marker into an empty net 1:14 remaining in the third.  Matt Kaarela and Travis Cech also scored for the hosts, while Brett Pinkerton and Paul Van De Velde replied for the Wolverines.  Jordan Washburn earned the first star for his 49-save performance in the Selkirk goal. Brett Gagnon, making his second straight start, stopped 33 shots.

Steinbach 3 Wolverines 0
Brenden Edie stopped all 34 shots he faced as the Pistons blanked the Wolverines 3-0 in front of 575 fans in Steinbach on Friday, Feb. 11.  Russell Trudeau and Adam Giesbrecht scored in the first period, and Dylan Dock added an insurance marker into an empty net with 1:10 left in the third period.  Brett Gagnon finished with 29 saves in the Wolverines' goal.

WOLV TALK - The Wolverines play three of their final four regular season games at home, hosting the Dauphin Kings on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Monday, Feb. 21 and the Swan Valley Stampeders on Friday, Feb. 25. The Wolverines travel to Swan River to play the Stamps on Wednesday, Feb. 23... Paul Van De Velde hit the 20-goal mark against Selkirk. The Wolverines' leading scorer, with 66 points, is fifth in the league scoring race.

By GREG NESBITT
Crossroads This Week
February 11th, 2011 Edition

The Waywayseecappo Wolverines squandered a 4-1 second period lead and were forced to settle for a single point in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Swan Valley Stampeders in a key Sher-Wood Division game played in front of 421 fans in Swan River on Wednesday, Feb. 9.  The result left the Stampeders two points up on the Wolverines in the battle for the fourth playoff spot in the Sher-Wood. The Neepawa Natives sit 11 points back of the Wolverines and could be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs as early as this weekend. Either the Stampeders or Wolverines have all but clinched a crossover playoff spot in the Addison Division.

Swan Valley 6 Wolverines 5
It took nine shooters on each side, but Taylor Epp's goal in the shootout was the difference as the Stampeders rallied to earn the win.  Shelby Gray scored twice for the hosts, who pulled into a 4-4 tie after 40 minutes. Single markers came off the sticks of Brad McDonald, Jesse Enns and Beau Taylor.  Dave Williams with a hat trick, Stephane Robidoux and Brett Lafond replied for the Wolverines.  No shots on goal were available but Ryan Benitez was in goal for the Wolverines, while Jason Argue was between the pipes for Swan Valley.

Wolverines 5 Wpg. Saints 1
Brett Chartier opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game but it would be the only goal to beat netminder Ryan Benitez as the Wolverines downed the Saints 5-1 front of 460 fans in Waywayseecappo on Saturday, Feb. 5.  Benitez stopped 21 shots and his teammates scored three times in the first and added insurance markers in each of the second and third. Josh Daley with a pair, Bobby Janzen, Ashley Howie and Matt Malenstyn scored for the hosts. Derek Tender stopped just 15 of the 20 shots he faced in the Saints' goal.

Wolverines 3 OCN 2
Dave Williams scored at 11:59 of the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and give the Wolverines their second win in as many nights against the Blizzard in front of 411 fans in Waywayseecappo on Thursday, Feb. 3.  Eric Pushka opened the scoring in the first for the visitors, but Bobby Janzen pulled the Wolverines into a tie in the second. The teams traded goals 23 seconds apart midway through the third, as Josh Daley scored for Waywayseecappo and Mike Collins replied for OCN. Ryan Benitez made 23 stops in the Wolverines' goal, as did Ryan Delorme of the Blizzard.

WOLV TALK - Paul Van De Velde is fifth in league scoring with 64 points, while Ryan Benitez leads all MJHL netminders with a sparkling 1.98 goals against average... The Wolverines have games in Steinbach and Selkirk on Feb. 11 and 12 respectively, before returning home to host the Portage Terriers on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

By GREG NESBITT
Crossroads This Week
February 4th, 2011 Edition

Paul Van De Velde was the hero, scoring his 19th goal of the season with just 28 seconds left in overtime, as the Waywayseecappo Wolverines edged the OCN Blizzard 2-1 in front of 357 fans in Waywayseecappo on Wednesday, Feb. 2.  The win moves the Wolverines one point ahead of the Swan Valley Stampeders for fourth place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's (MJHL) Sher-Wood Division.  Currently the MJHL's hottest team, the Wolverines are 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games.

Wolverines 2 Blizzard 1 (OT)
The MJHL's Player of the Week Ryan Benitez turned away 20 shots to record the win in goal for the Wolverines. Ryan Delorme took the loss for the Blizzard, stopping 19 of 21 shots faced.
The teams traded first period goals, with Mike Collins scoring for OCN and Matt Malenstyn putting the Wolverines on the board.  Dave Williams picked up a pair of assists for the Wolverines.
Waywayseecappo was assessed five of nine minor penalties on a night that neither team had success with the man advantage.

Wolverines 5 Kings 3
The Wolverines took a 2-1 first period lead and carried it into the third enroute to a 5-3 win over the Kings in front of 286 fans in Waywayseecappo on Sunday, Jan. 30.
Ryan Duhaime scored his second goal of the game into an empty net with 28 seconds remaining to seal the victory. Josh Daley, Dave Williams and Paul Van De Velde also scored for the Wolverines.  Matt Spafford scored twice for the Kings, who got a single marker from Riley Gillies.
Ryan Benitez stopped 26 shots to earn the win in goal for Waywayseecappp, while Dauphin's Brett Willows finished with 21 saves.