The MJHL New England Wolves inched closer to first place with a win on Sunday and shootout loss last Wednesday.  Both games were played at the Laconia Ice Arena, during the Wolves “Paint the Rink Red” week.

On Wednesday the Wolves took on the Northern Cyclones of Hudson, NH, always an exciting matchup, battling to a 4-4 tie in regulation time.  The Wolves were paced by two goals from Dillon Smith (Madison, NH) and a goal and two assists from newcomer Blake Babineau (Gorham, ME).  The regulation and then overtime draw, resulted in a best of 3 shootout. Unfortunately for the hometown Wolves, Robby McClellan of the Northern Cyclones scored in the final stanza, earning his team the 2 points.  The 1 point awarded to the Wolves, however, allowed them to leap frog the New Hampshire JR Monarchs in the standings for 2nd place. 

Following the midweek contest, on Saturday the Wolves bested the Boston Bandits, last year’s MJHL champion, 2-1.  Trailing 1-0 midway through the game, Andrew D’Amour (Belmont, NH) converted a goalmouth scramble to pull the Wolves even.  A very physical affair, the Wolves would continue to battle for another whole period before scoring again.  This time, on a power play, it was Wolfeboro’s Owen Richard scoring on a slapshot from the left point.  Assists went to Josh Grasso (Wolfeboro, NH) and Kevin Morello (Monroe, NJ).

The Wolves travel next week to Cromwell, CT to participate in 3 very important showcase games.  The annual event generally is one of the most highly scouted events in the MJHL calendar.