It was pretty easy to tell Saturday night in Whitecourt which team was playing its third game in as many nights. Grande Prairie Storm kept things close for half the contest, but simply ran out of gas in losing 5-1 to the hometown Wolverines.
After a scoreless first period, the teams exchanged goals in the first minute of the middle frame. The Wolverines got on the board at the 17 second mark, but just 16 seconds later, Connor Sutton equalized for the Storm.
Through thirty minutes it remained 1-1. However, the Wolverines then popped a pair in a 35-second span and were off to the races. Whitecourt would add another pair in the third to seal the deal.
Two of the Wolverines goals came during their ten powerplay chances. The Storm had just half as many manpower advantages and failed to score on any of them. Grande Prairie's powerplay remains dead last in the AJHL, with just seven goals on 66 chances.
Nick Kulmanovsky got the start in all three games on this road trip and was once again busy. The Wolverines enjoyed an overwhelming 34-15 advantage on the shot clock.
So, Grande Prairie ends up 1-1-1 on the trip, after opening with a win in Camrose, follwed by a shoot out loss in Drayton Valley. With a 6-7-1 record, they now return home for games next Friday against Olds and Saturday versus Canmore.
– Story by Don Whiteford of www.PeaceCountrySports.com.