Wolves Clinch 2nd Place

By Jay Harris

Watertown, NY - It was County Night on Saturday when the Watertown Wolves hosted the Northern Federals at Watertown Municipal Arena. The Wolves would offer an impressive showing as they clinched 2nd place in the Federal Hockey League standings.

The Wolves racked up seven goals in the first twenty minutes of the game. Tyler Gjurich sent the puck to CJ Hayes for the first goal just sixteen seconds in. Anton Lennartsson's unassisted goal was the second score for the Wolves. Hayes lit the lamps again on a play from Gjurich and Paul Fregeau. John Scully's goal was assisted by Gjurich and Aleh Shypitsyn. Hayes' hat trick goal was set up by Scully and Gjurich. Gavin Yates topped off the period with a goal assisted by Fregeau and Ryan Rotondi.

Tristen Perreault-Gagnon got the Federals on the board early in the period. The Wolves were able to successfully kill Cody Karpinksy's unsportsmanlike penalty, but they were unsuccessful in holding the Federals back on Tyler Gjurich's simultaneous slashing and roughing penalties. Ryan Alves made the power play goal on a pass from Vyacheslav Goyev via Perreault-Gagnon. Perreault-Gagnon would score his second for the Federals on a play from David Asselin and Alves. Cameron Dimmitt assisted in Jesse Facchini's short-handed goal during Dallas Ingram's penalty for tripping. John Scully's hat trick goal was assisted by Hayes and Gjurich. Jesse Facchini would score Watertown's third goal of the period from Anton Lennartsson's deflected shot.

Each team put up one additional goal in the third period. Peter Mott scored for the Federals and CJ Hayes got his fourth goal of the game on assists from John Scully and Kyle Powell.

The 1st Star of the Game was awarded to CJ Hayes (4 goals, 2 assists). John Scully (3 goals, 3 assists) and Tyler Gjurich (6 assists) earned 2nd and 3rd Stars, respectively.

With this victory, the Wolves have clinched 2nd place in the Federal Hockey League regular season standings. In the first round of the Playoffs they will travel to Winston-Salem, NC for Game 1 on Friday, April 13th against the Carolina Thunderbirds. The Wolves will host the Thunderbirds on Saturday, April 14th, and Sunday April 15th (if needed).

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