Wolves Double Up Federals
By Jay Harris
Watertown, NY - The Watertown Wolves hosted the Northern Federals in an exhibition game at the Watertown Municipal Arena on Friday night. This was a last-minute change in the Federal Hockey League schedule, as the Wolves were originally set to face-off against the defending Commissioner's Cup Champions, the Danville Dashers. Unfortunately, due to travel issues, the Dashers were unable to make the game in time.
Troy Polino got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the game. Anton Lennartsson assisted on Polino's first goal, and league-leading scorer Tyler Gjurich and defenseman Dallas Ingram helped on his second. New Wolf Nicola Levesque tickled twine on a play from Kyle Powell and Gavin Yates to make the score 3-0. Lennartsson got his second assist of the night when he got the puck to Lester Brown in the final ninety seconds of the first period to extend Watertown's lead to 4-0.
The game became close in the second period. The Federals scored 4 unanswered goals to bring the game to a tie. Anton Lennartsson put Watertown back in the lead, only to have the Federals tie it back up less than a minute later. Wolves Captain John Scully started a chain reaction when he went five-hole on Northern's goalie. Troy Polino's hat trick goal came with just nineteen seconds left in the period, and Lester Brown shot off a second goal just seven seconds later. By the end of the period Watertown had restored their lead, 8-5.
Anton Lennartsson's extended the lead in the third period. His second of the night was a short-handed goal from Jesse Facchini during Troy Polino's tripping penalty. CJ Hayes went top shelf on his fast break to double-up the Federals for a score of 10-5.
1st Star of the Game went to Troy Polino for his hat trick. Kyle Powell and Anton Lennartsson earned 2nd and 3rd Stars, respectively.
The 2nd place Wolves are back in action Saturday night against the Danville Dashers at the Watertown Municipal Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 PM.
Photo credit: CMC Advertising Design & Photography