Cumberland novice Wolverines dressed for success
Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Brier Dodge
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EMC sports - It was a fight until the end for the Cumberland novice B Wolverines, who defeated the Blackburn Stingers on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Blackburn Arena. 
Brier Dodge
Cumberland Novice B1 Wolverines goalie Jacob Coulombe celebrates his team's third period goal, which pulled them ahead into a 3-2 lead and ended up being the game-winning goal.
"You skated like Wolverines, you fought like Wolverines," head coach Richard Allard told the team after the game.
Despite falling 2-0 early in the game, a goal from Thomas Mallett inspired the team to come back for a 3-2 win.
Mallett's goal was followed with a goal from Nick Lefebve to tie the score up. In the third period, Lefebve struck again to score the game-winning third goal for the Wolverines.
"We just worked hard, we were down two goals early and we came back," said assistant coach Jacques Coulombe.
Players were excited to post a win, and agreed that their skating skills have improved significantly throughout the season.
"I think we had great speed and tried very hard and were pushing on our skates," said Carter Parentau, 7. "And we had a lot of fun too."
Parantau said the team has gotten a lot faster on their skates this season, and are looking to improve their passing and stick-handling skills in the final stretch of the season. The novice players are seven and eight years old, and measure up at heights ranging from 2-foot-6 to 4-foot-8.
These novice level players have been working hard all season to achieve on and off ice goals, said Allard
"We have to practise stick handling, shooting the puck and passing," said Justin "Juice" Allard, who practises at his backyard rink, and plays twice a week with the Wolverines.
Their major off ice goal for this season was dressing themselves before the game - something all the players were able to do before hitting the ice on Sunday, several even tying their own skates.
Allard said one specific player stood out by coming out of his shell. For his efforts, Jayden Cote was given the hardest worker award.
The team hopes to use the win to propel them into a winning streak and qualify for playoffs.
"We want to win all eight games left and make the playoffs," said Allard. "And have fun."
After a come back like Sunday's game, nothing is out of reach for the end of the Wolverine's season.
"In the words of Justin Bieber, never say never," said Coulombe.
brier.dodge@metroland.com
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