In a pedestrian game illuminated by brief flashes of offensive brilliance, the Jasper Wolves defeated the Edson Ice 5-3 Friday night.

With the victory, Jasper evened its record at four wins and four losses, good enough for a second place tie with Hinton in the South Division of the North Central Hockey League. 

In the early going it seemed as if the Wolves would run roughshod over their opponents after Rob Olsen scored on the team’s very first shot on goal just two minutes in. The Ice, who looked decidedly second-best,  somehow responded in short order as Chad Kuzmic’s attempt on the power play found its way through Wolves’ goaltender Soc Korogonas.

Despite this early setback, Jasper still carried the play and barely two minutes later, had retaken the lead. Olsen was again involved, this time setting the table for Darren Thorne. The goal was created by a fine passing play that involved Olsen and Royd Irwin that left the Edson defenders defeated and discombobulated.

Having struck twice on only three shots, the Wolves looked likely to treat their home fans to another offensive showcase. However, though they continued to control the puck for long periods of time, Jasper demonstrated precious little in the way of an attacking menace, managing a mere six shots in the first period.

Down only one after twenty minutes of general ineptitude, Edson seemed determined not to let the Wolves’ profligacy in front of goal go unpunished in the second frame. Improved forechecking ensured that the puck stayed in the Jasper third for extended periods of time, but the Ice shared their host’s inability to convert possession into points. Korogonas was also solid when Edson did manage to test him, making up for his generosity in conceding so early in the game.

By the ten-minute mark of the second, the uninspired play had taken the crowd out of the game and both teams as well, or so it seemed. The biggest cheer during this stretch was afforded to one of the linesmen, who lost an edge and fell ass over teakettle.

Having been so egregiously upstaged by an official, one Edson forward decided to take matters into his own hands. Eli Arlidge took a breakaway pass, burst into the Wolves’ zone and beat Korogonas high to the glove side to square the affair.

This was just the tonic required to bring the somnambulant Jasper side back into the game. Barely more than a minute after the Ice goal, Martin Hajek put a shot on net that was redirected past the Edson tender by Kevin Russell.

Just like that, the Wolves were again in the lead, but the Ice had the better of the play for the final stages of the period. Only Korogonas’ feisty performance between the pipes maintained the Jasper advantage into the third.

The final period belonged to the Wolves, led by the aggressive play of Matt Cherewyk. Largely anonymous until the third, Chere-

wyk was all over the Ice defenders in the 

attacking zone and was unlucky not to score on one particularly dominant shift early on in the period. Cherewyk was looking for a scrap as well, but found no takers when he dropped his gloves around nine minutes in. Sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, he demonstrated his relief that his teammates had killed off the disadvantage by scoring the 4-2 insurance goal as soon as he returned to the fray. Picking up a loose puck on the far boards, Cherewyk deked the Edson goalie to the ice before stuffing the puck under his outstretched leg pad.

Jasper continued to press the attack as the final minutes ticked off the clock. Martin Hajek was robbed by a quick glove save after he had rifled a one-timer from the point and continued to be a dangerous presence for the Wolves, but it was Pierre Seguin who would provide the fifth goal of the evening. Rewarded for his industry on the forecheck, Seguin deflected a point shot into the Edson net with only 1:27 to play.

The Ice would score a third in the last minute, a goal that was notable only for the fracas that followed it. A goalmouth scramble turned into an unmitigated beat down as Jasper’s Michael Young pounded Edson’s Brad Grant behind the Wolves’ goal.

Just a few seconds after play had restarted, Cherewyk got his fight after all, going at it hammer and tongs with Aaron Arlidge of the Ice to the delight of the crowd.

Fans will have to wait until December 10 and 11 to watch Wolves hockey at home again, when Drayton Valley comes to town for back-to-back games. In the meantime, Jasper is on the road next weekend at Hinton and December 3 in Onoway.

The Fitzhugh’s Three Stars

3- Martin Hajek

His two assists might have been joined by a goal if not for an outstanding save in the third period. Hajek ran the powerplay, killed penalties and was influential at both ends of the rink.

2- Soc Korogonas

Might have wanted another try at the first goal against, but his strong play in the middle period kept his team in the game. 28 saves on 31 shots.

1- Rob Olsen

Although his highlights all came in the opening eight minutes, Olsen’s goal and assist provided the foundation for the Wolves’ eventual victory. Despite not scoring in the later stages, he remained a threat and a significant physical presence.