Wolves end 2022-23 boys hockey regular season with shutout loss

North Star vs. Cardinal Carter in first round of playoffs

By Ron Giofu

The North Star Wolves boys hockey team did not end the season the way they would have liked.

The Wolves faced off against the Essex Red Raiders last Tuesday afternoon but fell 3-0 in the WECSSAA Cullen Conference regular season finale. Essex scored twice in the first period and once in the second to finish the regular season undefeated (8-0-1) while North Star dropped to 5-3-1.

North Star head coach Glen Holden would have liked to have seen a better effort from his team but pointed out they started out OK in last Tuesday’s game.

“We played a great first period and controlled the play,” said Holden. “We made two mistakes and they ended up in the back of our net.”

Holden praised Essex goalie Ethan Davis on his play but wished his group played better and kept their composure.

“As for discipline, we came back to some bad habits,” said Holden. “If we don’t figure it out at playoff time, it will be one game and done.”

The Wolves have been a “Jeckyll & Hyde” team this season, Holden continued, as they have looked strong in some games but don’t live up to their potential in others. He said their 5-3-1 regular season record is a reflection of that.

“There is enough talent in the dressing room that we should be a first place hockey club,” said Holden.

The Wolves’ 11 points tied them with L’Essor and Belle River but, thanks to the latter two schools benefitting from tie-breakers, North Star ended up in sixth place.

That means they hit the road for the WECSSAA quarterfinals, which start today against the Cardinal Carter Cougars at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington. Faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.