TimberWolves forward Matt Crowell has been a pillar of strength for the TimberWolves this season recording 28 goals and 25 assists in 47 games, leading the Pack in points. Crowell scored the winning goal during Saturday night's 6-5 overtime win against the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Amandah Hillton photo
The Williams Lake TimberWolves had a new look and a renewed energy last weekend despite losing to Salmon Arm 5-3 on Friday after a great effort, then rebounding to beat one of the best teams in the BCHL in double overtime at Cariboo Memorial Complex.
The T'Wolves prevailed 6-5 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night when Matt Crowell scored at 3:35 of the three-on-three second overtime frame to end a six-game winless drought for the club. The win temporarily moved Williams Lake within four points of a playoff spot behind the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The TimberWolves have been faced with a major reorganization since the team announced last week that former GM and assistant coach Kevin Nohr was no longer with the club.
Taking Nohr's place on the bench as assistant coach was Rocky Mix, the team's merchandising and promotions man.
The Capitals came on strong outshooting the TimberWolves in the first period 15-7. But the Pack had luck where it counts on the scoreboard.
Tyler Mazzei opened the scoring early at the 16-second mark to give Williams Lake a 1-0 lead. The assist went to Matt Crowell. But Cowichan Valley countered quickly just over a minute later to knot the game at 1-1.
The Capitals took the lead on the powerplay at 5:05 when Ryan Halliday sent a point shot through a screen of player that foiled goaltender Aaron Harvey.
At 15:03 the hard work of Brad Gorham and Mark Shefchyk paid off around the Capital's net as Gorham shoveled the puck past netminder Torrie Jung.
Then with just over a minute left in the period Kyle McMurphy stole a clearing attempt at the Cowichan blue line and walked in alone on Jung to give Williams Lake the lead at the first intermission.
The TimberWolves played with much more confidence in the second period, outshooting their opponents 15-13, and taking leads of 4-2 and 5-3 before a late Cowichan goal narrowed the gap to 5-4 with 14 seconds left. Jason Wright from Kyle McMurphy got the first Williams Lake marker, and Adam Knopp jammed home a Tyler Mazzei rebound for the other.
The Capitals tied the game with just over 5 minutes remaining in the game to send the teams to overtime. Both teams had good scoring chances in the first overtime period before Cowichan's Ryan Halliday got called for boarding Kyle McMurphy at 4:37.
The T'Wolves pressed hard getting numerous chances with a four-on-three advantage that carried over into the second overtime period. Teams were playing at even-strength, three-on-three, when Crowell's heroics finally ended the affair. The TimberWolves' bench erupted.
Williams Lake has 13 games remaining compared to Prince George's 12 to overcome the six point difference to make the final playoff position. The T'Wolves came within four points with their win Saturday night, but Prince George managed to beat the Vernon Vipers on Sunday to restore their playoff cushion to six points.
