Parker Ties It in the Second, but Blue Ridge Pulls Away Late

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — The Watertown Wolves struck first in the Blue Ridge Bobcats' first-ever visit to the Northern Credit Union Community Arena, but a relentless Bobcats attack carried the night, as Blue Ridge skated away with a 6-2 win Friday.

Brendan Hussey opened the scoring for Watertown, finishing a feed from Bret Parker to give the Wolves the early lead. Blue Ridge answered before the first intermission when Christian Halbig, set up by Vladislav Vlasov, knotted it at 1-1. The opening frame also featured some old-fashioned physicality, as Hunter Hall and Blue Ridge captain Carson Andreoli dropped the gloves.

Vlasov put the Bobcats ahead early in the second, but Parker answered with Donovan Powell picking up the assist, tying the game at 2-2. Blue Ridge regained the lead on Michael Macchioni's first goal as a Bobcat, and carried a 3-2 edge into the third.

The third period belonged to the visitors. Newly signed defenseman Brendan Pepe scored in his Blue Ridge debut, and James Tepper added two more — the second on the power play — to close out the 6-2 final.

Blue Ridge outshot Watertown 68-20, and the Wolves went 0-for-4 on the power play while the Bobcats converted once in five chances.

The Wolves get an immediate shot at payback: the series wraps up tonight, Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:05 p.m. at the Northern Credit Union Community Arena.