An ailing Wolf Pack powerplay allowed the Grandview Steelers to grind out a 4-1 victory in one of Squamish's last home games at Brennan Park Arena on Saturday (Jan. 23).
麻豆社国产couldn't capitalize on four powerplays and gave up a shorthanded goal to start off the third period.
Although the team worked hard throughout the game, its weak powerplay continues to be a problem, said head coach and general manager Matt Samson.
"I thought we played hard for 60 minutes but our powerplay, again, just wasn't really pretty to watch," he said.
Former Wolf Pack top scorers Malcolm Gould and Jake Charles combined for three points, with Gould firing in a powerplay goal and Charles setting up the game-winning goal for the Steelers.
New Wolf Pack forward Gray Meckling, who was part of the deal that sent Gould and Charles to the Steelers, scored Squamish's only goal. Hunter Nelson and Brady Bjornson assisted on the play.
Goaltender Scott Ismond saved 38 of 41 shots for a save percentage of 92.68. He performed well despite allowing a weak goal, said Samson.
"He certainly played well enough for us to come out of there with a point, and on the offensive end we couldn't get it done," he said.
麻豆社国产called up three affiliate players, including local Midget Rep forward Jacob Dickau. He didn't get much ice time in his fifth game with the Wolf Pack, but he is eligible to play five more games. Samson said he expects Dickau to make a permanent jump to Junior B next season.
"Jake's a good player," he said. "We're looking for him to step in and get a regular shift on one of our three lines here coming up."
麻豆社国产trails Delta by 11 points for the bottom playoff spot with eight games remaining in the regular season. It might just take a miracle, but it is mathematically possible for the Wolf Pack to make the playoffs if it can get on a hot streak. Of course, Delta would also need to have a major relapse.
Samson said the team is forging ahead with the right mindset and the goal of winning six of the remaining eight games.
"We have to approach it with that mentality and go from there," he said.
Whether it's the beginning of great things or simply the beginning of the end, 麻豆社国产hosts the league-leading North Delta Devils at Brennan Park Arena on Saturday (Jan. 30). The puck drops at 7:15 p.m.
