Wolves U16 Triumph in OT, Top NJ 87s at THF Showcase
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.
