Wolves drop shootout loss to Edson

When you’re down, you’re down.

The Jasper wolves came within 1:28 of recording their first win of the season Saturday against the Edson Ice. While the team earned a point, they still dropped the game 5-4 after a heartbreaker of a finish.

The Wolves held onto a 1-0 lead through the first period, after Rockson Yoo shuffled in a rebound off a shot from the point. Jasper carried the play through much of the period, but continued a trend of following a goal with a penalty.

Edson tied the game midway through the second period with a powerplay marker, as the Edson forward was left all alone in front.

Kyle Gladue restored the Wolves lead with a tap into an open net, after a nice feed from Brad Ellard.

While the Edson team appeared sluggish, and were frequently frustrated on the penalty kill, Jasper still had problems finishing them off. Goalie Cameron Vos was sharp, but had little help as Edson players were left unmolested at the lip of his crease on many occasions.

“We were a little light on defencemen this weekend,” said forward Rob Olsen. “This weekend we had 20 guys that could play forward, but defence is still tough.”

The Wolves once again looked to take control, carrying a 3-2 lead into the third, but once again, Edson refused to go away. After a Kent Paterson goal from the point, Edson came back. Chris Doiron gave the Wolves their final lead, blasting a slap shot past the Edson goalie at the 7:50 mark of the third.

Then, with less than two minutes to play, a harmless play somehow ended up in the back of the Wolves net. A centering pass deflecting off the defence and Vos before crossing the goal line.

Overtime solved nothing, and Edson claimed the shootout with a goal that bounced off Vos three times before squeeking into the net.

Olsen said the team has to overcome this losing streak.

“It’s a mental thing. We didn’t seem that tired. Team defence needs work,” he said. “ We’ve always given up a lot of goals, but we score a lot of goals. Last year we were number one in scoring. But we’re not quite doing it this year.”