The Waywayseecappo Wolverines kicked off their 20th-anniversary season on the road against the defending league champion Steinbach Pistons and came away with a 3-2 victory.
In the first period, the Wolverines came out of the gate with speed. Isaac LaBelle stood tall, stopping all 15 shots to keep the game tied at zeros after the first 20 minutes. The Wolverines went 0 for 2 on their powerplay opportunities, while killing off one Pistons man-advantage.
It was the Wolverines who got off to a strong start in the second period. Rookie defenseman Jack Kennedy fired a shot from the point that Riley Vautour tipped in past Pistons netminder Matt Radomsky to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead just 4:40 into the frame. The Wolverines would head to the powerplay where Nick Doyle would find the back of the net with his point shot to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. Vautour picked up his second assist of the game on the play.
Just moments later, Preston Seymour was in the right place at the right time when he backhanded one past Matt Radomsky in front to give the Wolverines a 3-0 lead over the Pistons. Defenseman Morgan Poirier picked up the lone assist. The Pistons would cut into the Wolverines lead late in the second period to make it 3-1. Steinbach would cap off a busy second period, scoring one on the power play to cut the Wolverines lead to 3-2.
The Wolverines would get into some penalty trouble early in the third period taking three penalties in the first four minutes, before managing to kill off all three and hold their slim one-goal lead over the Pistons.
The Pistons would make a late push but the Wolverines would hold on to pick up a 3-2 victory in their 20th-anniversary regular season opener.
Isaac LaBelle stopped 33 of 35 shots to pick up the win for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines went 1 for 4 on the power-play, while the Pistons went 1 for 8.
The Wolverines home opener is set for Sunday, September 23 at 4:00 when they host the Selkirk Steelers.