Blades crush hopes for Wolfpack upset

Nightmarish third period spells Pack’s demise

After winning their last three games, including a tight 5-4 win over Durango/Telluride, the Wolfpack’s hopes were high as they headed to Gunnison to face the Gunnison Blades on Wednesday, January 11.
The Blades made the move to a new league this season and are currently undefeated, with a record of 4-0.
The two teams met earlier this season, with the Blades winning every meeting—but that was then, and Wednesday was a chance for the Wolfpack to turn the tide back in their favor.
For all intents and purposes, it was looking good for the Wolfpack for the first two periods, with poor shooting about the only thing holding them back.
“We were getting shots but they weren’t great scoring opportunities,” says captain Ben Reaman. “We shot at the goalie a lot and he was giving up rebounds but we didn’t have guys following.”
While in prior meetings, the Blades had their way with the Wolfpack, finding cutters to goal and the point wide open for shots at will, Wednesday night the Wolfpack had those two options covered for the first two periods.
“We were more aware of the cutters and picking them up,” says Reaman.
One thing is for sure though, penalties can kill the Wolfpack when they face the Blades, and Gunnison made the Wolfpack pay midway through the first period. Corey Whinnery circled around free on a power play and beat Wolfpack goalie Montana Wiggins with a low wrist shot.
Matthew “Dirk” Schumacher broke free three minutes later on a quick transition looking to put the Blades up 2-0, but Wiggins came up big, stuffing the first shot and the rebound to hold the Blades in check.
The Pack put together two strong power plays in the opening minutes of the second period but couldn’t convert and turned around and killed a penalty to gain momentum midway through the period.
But the Blades kept pressing and when the Wolfpack collapsed low in their own zone, Gunnison pushed the puck out to the point for an open shot. Wiggins made the initial save and the puck bounced around loose until Whinnery slapped it in for a 2-0 Gunnison lead.
The Wolfpack closed the second period holding the puck in the Blades zone for most of the time but couldn’t find the back of the net. Then, as has happened every time the two teams meet, the Blades unloaded in the third period, scoring five goals.
Quinn Travis netted two, Taran Reinecke added a goal to his two assists and Payson Whinnery and Schumacher each got one to run away with the 7-0 win. Blades goalie Zachary Smith finished the shutout with 28 saves on the night.
“I feel like we just broke down mentally once they got a couple goals on us,” says Reaman.
The Wolfpack remain undefeated in league play and Reaman believes despite the loss, the team is looking better than ever.
“The team is looking absolutely phenomenal,” says Reaman. “Everyone’s working really hard in practice.”
The Wolfpack returns to league play January 28-29 when they host Moffat County and Durango/Telluride in Big Mine Ice Arena.