Wild Edge Monarchs in Thriller
- by Alex Dodds
- Nov 7, 2015
- 2 min read
The Hanover Wild (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NHAHA) came home 4-3 victors in a great game against the NH Jr Monarchs (2-4-0 NHAHA) at Tri-Town Ice Arena in Manchester, NH.
The Wild took the ice for their first game of the season, facing a challenging opponent in the Monarchs--who came into the night with a 2-3-0 record in NHAHA play. The Wild came out strong scoring the game's first goal just a minute into the game on a great individual effort from Ben Ives. The rest of the 1st period was an even battle, both teams trading opportunities.
The Monarchs got on the board early in the 2nd period with a powerplay goal, but the Wild fought back. Producing multiple scoring chances before finally breaking through with 47 seconds left, the Wild regained the lead at 2-1 on a beautiful goal by Will Brannen. When most thought the play was broken up after his pass was deflected, Brannen stuck with the play and buried a wrist shot between the legs of the Monarchs' goaltender.
The Monarchs weren't ready to throw in the towel yet, tying the score at 2 early in the 3rd. Once again the Wild were equal to the challenge, answering with a goal by Carter Auch with assists going to his linemates Brannen and Gregor Vogel. The Monarchs once again tied the game just 2 minutes later.
With far fewer players, many would have counted the Wild out. However, the Wild dug deep and pulled ahead 4-3 with 2 minutes remaining in the game. Vogel broke free with great speed before fooling the Monarchs' goaltender with a shot, beating him five hole. The Wild held strong for the remaining 2 minutes, backstopped by incredible play by Jackson Kapuscinski.
Kapuscinski was honored by captain Vogel after the game, awarding him the retro Wild jacket, given to the player who the previous winner felt went above-and-beyond to help the team win the game. The team noted one save in particular, when Kapuscinski made an unbelievable glove save (and made it look easy) to keep the game tied at 3 late in the game.
"It was an all around team effort," said head coach Alex Dodds after the game. "This was our first game of the year. We hadn't even had a practice with the full team. I'm impressed with the effort of each and every one of them."
The Wild get the day off tomorrow, but are back in action Sunday afternoon against the Oyster River Cats (0-1-0 NHAHA) in Hartford.
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