Ripley Wolves notch two wins, two losses at start of season with OEHL

By: Ripley Wolves October 29, 2023 3308

Ripley Wolves notch two wins, two losses at start of season with OEHL

The Ripley Wolves have notched two wins and two losses in the opening games of their inaugural season with the Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL).

The Wolves kicked off their season with a trip to Erin, Oct. 14, to take on one of the new teams in the league, the Outlaws, and lost, 5-4, in a shoot-out. Scoring for Ripley, were Dan Nicoloff, newcomer Kyle Durrer, Logan Swanton and Mike Howes; assists went to Derek Skinner, Evan Visser, new defenceman Todd Hellyer and Durrer.

Ripley goalie Jason Hamilton stopped 39 shots, including eight in the five-minute overtime, before falling in the skills competition.

Oct. 15, the Wolves forced their way into the win column by downing Milverton 5-1, again on the road.

Ripley led the entire way, going up 5-0 by the middle of the third period, before Hamilton lost his shut-out bid. Wolves goals were scored by Garrett Meurs, Ethan Skinner (2), D. Skinner, and new forward Kaden Hoggarth. Assists went to Meurs (3), Hoggarth (2), Nicoloff, D. Skinner, Tyson Soers, and Alex Kuntz.

Hamilton – who held modern-day records for wins, shut-outs and minutes played in the former WOAA Senior A League – stopped 34 shots for his first win in the OEHL.

Oct. 21, the Wolves travelled to Durham and took the Cats to overtime before falling short in the end by a 4-3 score.

The Wolves fired 49 shots on net but couldn't pull away from Durham whose offence peppered Hamilton with 32 shots.

Meurs had two goals and an assist, while Nicoloff had the other goal and assisted on both of Meurs’. The other assist went to Hoggarth.

The Wolves put on a clinic for a great crowd at the home-opener, Saturday night (Oct. 28), downing Lucknow, 7-0.

Ripley jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and it was never in doubt from there, as the Wolves controlled play and out-shot the Lancers, 40-19.

Seven different Wolves found the twine, including Hellyer, Durrer, Nicoloff, Chris Coady, Tyson Soers, Cody Britton and Ethan Skinner.

Assists went to Meurs (3), Pat Looby (2), Mike Howes, Zach Merpaw, Rob White, Britton, Skinner and Durrer.

Hamilton got his first shut-out in the new OEHL.

The Wolves are in Seaforth, Saturday, Nov. 4, for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop; and return home, Sunday, Nov. 5, for a rematch of last year's championship final against Tavistock, at 4 p.m. It's Tyke Night and the opportunity to Meet the Wolves after the first period, so bring the kids to meet their local hockey heroes!

The Ripley Wolves are now part of the new OEHL which is under the umbrella of the Ontario Hockey Association/Hockey Canada, leaving the Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) for the first time in league history.

Ripley is joined by Lucknow, Saugeen Shores, Creemore, Durham, Milverton, Minto, Seaforth, Shelburne and Tavistock. The Georgian Bay Applekings (Thornbury) and Erin Outlaws are expansion teams in the new league.

Petrolia has left to play in another league with less travel, while the Shallow Lake Crushers don't have a team this year.

Ripley, which lost in what turned out to be the final WOAA Senior A championship series this past spring, is bringing back most of its key players and welcoming many newcomers to the team this year.

Aside from playing in a new league, there will be some changes for fans at home games this year. Due to rising costs, entrance fees will now be $12/adult and $6 for youth/seniors. Drinks in the Wolves Den will also be $6. The Wolves appreciate the understanding of their dedicated fans.

2023-24 schedule