Watertown, NY – For the first time this season, the Columbus River Dragons made the 1140 mile bus trip to Watertown to take on the Wolves. Their only other previous meeting was a pair of games in Columbus, Ga. back in November with the River Dragons winning both contests.
The last time these two met in Watertown, the game would be 10 minutes and 8 seconds into the second overtime before current River Dragon Lane King netted the overtime winner, giving the Wolves their third Commissioners Cup championship.
Columbus seemed to have that fresh in their memories when they hit the ice for period number one as they would strike three times in the first twenty minutes.
First to light the lamp was Michael Greco ath 9:35 of the period, assisted by Alexander Jmaeff and Lane King. Adam Vanelli extended the lead to 2-0 at the 14.52 mark on a nasty wrist shot from the top of the right circle, assisted by Jacob Kelly and Lane King.
Alexander Jmaeff added the third goal of the frame at 18:56, assists on the goal went to Paul Fregeau and Alex Storjohann. That goal would bring an end to the night for Owen Liskiewicz as he would be pulled in favor of Adam Wisco.
Columbus took the 3-0 lead to the locker room after twenty minutes. Columbus outshot the Wolves 16 to 10 in the period.
Period number two would turn into a defensive battle, as both teams had trouble getting quality scoring chances. Wisco and River Dragons starter Brendan Colgan were both tested later in the period, with both easely turning away all the shots they faced. Columbus again outshot Watertown 12 to 9 in the second, and 28 to 19 through the first forty minutes.
The intensity rose to another level in period number three as the Wolves came out throwing the bodies around trying to ignite a fire. It would take just past the halfway point of the period, but the Wolves finally got on the board when Zach Horn was able to beat Colgan over the shoulder and cut into the Columbus lead 3-1. Watertown continued to apply pressure, but were unable to convert another goal in the final ten minutes.
The River Dragons added an empty net insurance marker at 18:57 when Cody Wickline got behind the defense after Jacob Kelly and Thomas Aldworth broke up the Watertown offensive zone rush, sending the score to 4-1. Columbus outshot Watertown 13 to 9 in the third, making the total for the game 41 to 28. The Wolves power play woes continued as they went 0 for 4 on the night while Columbus was 1 for 3.
The Wolves will be back in action on Saturday evening at 7:30 and Sunday at 6:30, as they host the Delaware thunder for a two game set.
by Jeff Barrett
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