Wolves U16 Triumph in OT, Top NJ 87s at THF Showcase
- James Karr
- Sep 21, 2024
- 1 min read
In their second game of the day and third overall at the THF Showcase, the West Chester Wolves U16 team delivered a nail-biting 4-3 overtime victory against the NJ 87s HC. The Wolves, now 2-1-0 in the tournament, showcased their resilience at the Palmer Imaging Arena in UPMC.
The Wolves struck first at 14:36 of the opening period when Alexander Khamichonak, assisted by Gavin Andersen, found the back of the net. NJ quickly answered with a goal from Nathaniel Danyo just over three minutes later. The Wolves reclaimed the lead at 1:17, thanks to a clutch tally by Benjamin Juraj Sepak, assisted by Lucas Hill. However, NJ leveled the score with a power play goal from Aidan Garced at 00:45.
In the second period, West Chester took the lead again with a goal from Trace Whitlock at 16:30, assisted by Maxim Chudy, pushing the Wolves ahead 3-2. Despite the Wolves’ best efforts, NJ’s Vincenzo Labianca netted a shorthanded goal early in the third, tying the game at 3-3 and sending it to overtime.
Overtime was a battle of wills, but the Wolves broke through when Whitlock came up clutch once again, scoring the game-winner at 4:07 off a perfect feed from Teodoras Jokubas Udras.
Goaltender Easton Andersen stood tall for the Wolves, turning aside 23 of 26 shots in a stellar performance, while the Wolves peppered NJ’s goalie, David Furman, with 29 shots.
