Heading into a ‘must win’ weekend, the UNBC Timberwolves kicked things off on a remarkable note Friday in front of a supportive crowd at Masich Place Stadium. Michael Henman paced the TWolves attack with a goal and two assists while Charlie Stewart and Greg Smith also scored in a 3-1 UNBC (3-7-2) victory over visiting University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (2-11). The lone tally of the match for UFV came from Kian Proctor. The victory for UNBC keeps their Canada West playoff hopes mathematically alive with three games remaining on their regular season docket.
The urgency was evident from the jump as the hosts got on the board just three minutes in thanks to Michael Henman. The TWolves leading goal scorer potted his fifth of the season (and the 30th of his Canada West career) and served notice to the visitors that the Mailman was working on the weekend.
Later in the 29th minute, a scramble in front of the UFV goal nearly yielded another goal for UNBC, but Gregor Smith’s shot in close was turned aside by Jackson Cowx.
Seven minutes later Smith would get rewarded when he chipped home his first of the season off a setup from Michael Henman, doubling the UNBC advantage.
Back came the Cascades in the late portion of the half. First, a breakdown in front of the Timberwolve’s goal resulted in an incredible save from rookie Issac Tate who covered for Daniel Zadravec who was caught out of position. Tate, with his back turned to the shooter Roland Mansell, was able to get his body in front of the blast, keeping the score 2-0.
One minute later UFV got on the board when Kian Proctor finished off his team-leading fourth goal from inside the penalty area, off a setup from Adriano Consiglio.
At half, the score was 2-1 for UNBC who outshot the Cascades 12-7.
The TWolves restored their two-goal cushion in the 61st minute off a shot from distance off the rush from second-year midfielder Charlie Stewart. The Metchosin, B.C. product got just enough zip on his shot which hit ‘some’ of goalkeeper Jackson Cowx, but not quite enough. Michael Henman’s assist gave him his third point of the match.
Defensively, the TWolves held their ground in the second half, but in the rare instance that they faltered, Daniel Zadravec was there. In the 84th minute, Zadravec made his best stop of the match when he denied Mateo Brazinha point blank off a blast from the right-wing off the rush.
The final moments of the match were chippy as the teams combined for three yellow cards. But when the final whistle sounded, the Timberwolves were able to celebrate a well-deserved, complete 3-1 victory. The TWolves outshot the Cascades 18-14.
For his three-point effort Friday, Michael Henman was named the Mr. Mike’s Player of the Game.
The TWolves will keep a close eye on the scoreboard tomorrow night as the TRU Wolfpack are in action in Victoria against the Vikes. UNBC will hold out hope that Sunday’s 2:15 pm home rematch against UFV will have playoff implications.