Hounds edge Wild in Telus Cup regional opener

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This article was published 28/04/2022 (1408 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VIRDEN – If their first game at the 2022 Telus Cup Western Regional championships is any indication, the Notre Dame Hounds and the Winnipeg Wild are going to be legit contenders to earn a spot at the national championship next month in Okotoks, Alta.

In a back-and-forth contest at Tundra Oil and Gas Place in Virden on Thursday afternoon, the Hounds came away with a narrow 3-2 triumph over the Wild in a round-robin contest between the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Under-18 AAA league champions.

“That was a great way to start things off,” Hounds head coach Del Pedrick said. “Winnipeg and us are both strong two-way clubs and this was really anyone’s game.

“We each had some chances that we just couldn’t bury and I think both of us each hit a couple of posts. Their goalie was outstanding and we finally figured out a way to squeeze one in there at the very end.”

The Hounds took the lead for good with 3:28 left in the third period.

Moments after Andrew Ness made a big save on a shot from Keagan Merriman, Kaden McLean bounced on a loose puck in the slot and slid a backhander into the open net.

Ness voiced his displeasure with the officials on the play as he felt that he was interfered with, but the goal stood.

“It’s unfortunate that we let that one in at the very end there but it is what it is,” Wild head coach Paul Krueger said.

“We had chances that we didn’t capitalize on in this one and now we’ll refocus for tomorrow.”

Despite the loss, Ness continued his impressive run of form that he showcased in the league final against the Brandon Wheat Kings, as the Manitoba U18 AAA playoff MVP turned aside 45 shots to earn player of the game honours for the Wild.

His best save came with seven minutes to go in the third period as he stretched across the crease to make a blocker save on Hounds forward Andrew Altwasser.

“Quite frankly, Andrew was really good for us today,” Kreuger said. “He gave us an opportunity to win and what’s you need at a tournament like this.”

Following a scoreless opening frame, the Wild took the lead just 49 seconds into the middle stanza.

After Keefe Gruener was stopped twice by Hounds netminder Joey Rocha, linemate Noah Dziver pounced on a loose puck to give his team the early advantage.

That lead would only last 57 seconds, however, as Ben Aucoin fired a shot through traffic to tie things up.

The Wild moved back out in front a few minutes later on the power play when Kai Elkie wired a shot over the left shoulder of Rocha and into the top corner of the net.

Notre Dame pressed for the equalizer but were unable to solve Ness until the five-minute mark of the third period.

During the later stages of a power play, Cole Wirun fired a shot that just trickled by the Wild netminder and into the net to even the game up at two and set the stage for McLean’s heroics.

Look – who was third in league scoring in the Saskatchewan U18 AAA loop this season with 68 points – had two assists on Thursday afternoon on his way to earning the player of the game honours.

Rocha, a signed prospect of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, made 24 saves in the triumph.

Both teams are back in action Friday, as the Wild take on the Thunder Bay Kings at 5 p.m., while the Hounds face the host Southwest Cougars at 8 p.m.

The Kings and Cougars opened their round-robin slate against each other on Thursday night.

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