​Ripley Wolves clinch playoff spot after splitting weekend games

The Ripley Wolves have clinched a spot in the playoffs after splitting their weekend games.

The Wolves fell, 5-2, in Saugeen Shores, Friday night, but bounced back with a 9-5 win over the Milverton 4-Wheel Drives, in Ripley Saturday night, to book their spot in the playoffs next month.

The Wolves currently sit in third place with 22 points (10-6 record), one point up on Creemore with a game in hand.

Friday night, the Wolves battled from behind all night to tie the score at two in the third period, but three late goals – including two in the last 25 seconds – by the Winterhawks gave the neighbours to the north a 5-2 win.

Goals were scored by Tyson Soers and Pat Looby, while assists went to Looby, Evan Visser, Nick Seiler and Ryan Shaw.

Jason Hamilton took the loss in the Wolves net.

It was a different story Saturday night, when the Wolves hosted the Milverton 4-Wheel Drives. Cody Britton, just back from injury, netted four goals, while Jarred Colling had two, Adam Alexander notched two, and Dan Nicoloff rounded out the scoring in a wild one that saw eight goals scored in the first period alone.

Assists went to Seiler (3), Nicoloff (3), Garrett Meurs (2), Alex Kuntz (2), Alexander (2), and singles to Colling, Chris Coady, Paul Stewart, and Britton.

Hamilton bounced back for the win.

The Wolves are on the road twice next weekend, when they travel to Palmerston to face the second-place Mapleton-Minto 81s, Friday, Jan. 13, at 8:30 p.m. And Sunday, Jan. 15, the Wolves make the short trip to Lucknow to face the Lancers at 5:30 p.m.

The Wolves return home Jan. 21 to face the Shelburne Muskies at 7 p.m.