Wolves Premier Fall Short in High-Scoring Matchup Against Rockets Hockey Club

Bridgewater, NJ — The West Chester Wolves Premier team battled the Rockets Hockey Club in a spirited matchup at the Bridgewater Sports Arena on Friday afternoon. Despite a strong second period and notable performances from several players, the Wolves came up short in a 6-4 loss.

The game opened with the Rockets striking first on the power play at 10:36 of the first period, with Elliott Turgeon capitalizing for the home team. West Chester’s goaltender, Elijah Wiltshire, kept the Wolves within striking distance, turning away 18 shots in the opening frame.

In the second period, the Wolves found their rhythm. Finn McGolrick tied the game just 3:48 into the frame, assisted by Max McKay and Aidan Urie. Less than two minutes later, Will McLaughlin gave West Chester the lead, burying a feed from Nolan Huntley and Urie. A late power-play goal from Brayden Webster, set up by Urie, extended the Wolves' lead to 3-1.

The Rockets answered back before the period ended, with Turgeon notching his second of the game to cut the Wolves' advantage to 3-2 heading into the final frame.

The third period proved to be a rollercoaster. Rockets forward Maksym Pastukh tied the game at 7:33 on the power play, and Noah Dandeneau added a go-ahead goal just over a minute later. The Wolves clawed back at 18:00, as Danil Nikiforov converted a power-play opportunity with assists from McKay and Urie, knotting the score at 4-4.

However, a shorthanded goal by Marcello Santiago at 10:46 and an empty-net tally sealed the game for the Rockets.

West Chester’s Elijah Wiltshire made 35 saves in a valiant effort, while Rockets netminder Harris Lockwood Jagoe stopped 25 shots for the win. Aidan Urie led the Wolves with three assists, while McGolrick, McLaughlin, and Webster each added goals.

🩸Aidan Urie was on the hunt today with 3 assists, while McGolrick, McLaughlin, Webster, and Nikiforov tally goals. 📰 https://t.co/a9cwXmuOPP Final: Wolves 4 - 6 Rockets#USPHLPremierpic.twitter.com/KOoK83CyXv

— West Chester Wolves Hockey (@WC_Wolves)

November 22, 2024