For the second straight game, the Wolverines gave up a late goal on route to dropping a 3-2 decision to the Dauphin Kings on Friday night in Waywayseecappo.
Anthony Bilka kicked off his Wolverines career in style on Friday night when he opened the scoring early in the period on a wrap-around to put Waywayseecappo in front of Dauphin, 1-0. Greg Lee picked up the lone assist on the scoring play.
No more than seven minutes later, Bilka walked in the slot and unleashed a wicked wrister top shelf past Kitchen to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. Greg Lee notched his second assist of the night with Jake Bestul adding the other.
With under one minute to go in the first period, Dauphin cut into the Wolverines lead when Avery Smith beat Isaac LaBelle to send the Kings down one heading into the second period.
There was certainly no shortage of action in the second as the two clubs combined for ten penalties. Despite the high number of infractions, neither team was able to find the back of the net with Waywayseecappo leading the shot clock 17-16.
Just 4:09 into the third period, Bryon Fobair tied the game up at 2-2 with his powerplay goal, giving some momentum to the Kings.
Both the Wolverines and Kings would get their chances in the third, including a 5 on 3 man-advantage for the Wolverines which they were unable to capitalize on. Continuing to trade blows, Dauphin would make the most of their power play opportunity with just over seven minutes left, when George King beat Isaac LaBelle to put the Kings in front 3-2.
Waywayseecappo would get a late power play and pull LaBelle to make it 6 on 4 for the Wolverines, but it would be too little too late as the Kings took the first game of the season series, 3-2.
There was no shortage of opportunities for the Wolverines as the power play struggled to find their footing going 0 for 9. Isaac LaBelle had a strong performance despite allowing 3 goals on 26 shots.
Just like it was in preseason, the two clubs played a spirited affair which saw play extended after the final buzzer. Following a pair of fights and 94 penalty minutes at the 20:00 mark of the period, Waywayseecappo and Dauphin will prepare for round two on Saturday night.
Saturday nights tilt between the two clubs takes place at 7:30, inside Credit Union Place in Dauphin.