The Waywayseecappo Wolverines organization has come full circle over the past few years.
From 2015 to 2018, the Wolverines lost 90 more games in regulation than they won, having won 38 and losing 128. Things took a turn for the better in the 2018-19 season when they qualified for the playoffs and then in the 2019-20 season, the Wolverines finished fifth in the league as they made their second straight playoff appearance.
The team was also 7-3 last year before the pandemic cancelled the season and this year, they picked up right where they left off. They have gone from being near the bottom of the standings to a championship contender in a matter of just a few years. And much of the credit has to go to Taylor Harnett who was brought on as head coach and general manager and Josh Lee who is an assistant coach and assistant general manager.
The two have completely changed the culture in Waywayseecappo and the Arena Complex itself has even received a beautiful facelift and is now one of the top arenas in the league. Waywayseecappo is 10-2 this season which has them on top of the West Division and they're second place overall in the league, just two points behind the Steinbach Pistons. They also have the most firepower in the league so far having scored 64 goals in their 12 games and the Wolverines scored a season-high eight goals in a win against Swan Valley earlier this season.
"We're most definitely pleased with how things have gone so far, it's been a good battle," said Harnett. "We've been getting the job done and it's always important to win games early in the season because it only gets tougher as the season goes on."
On top of the West, Waywayseecappo is now preparing for their toughest four-game series of the season so far. Starting on Friday, the Wolverines will square off with the Dauphin Kings four times in just eight days. The Kings are two points behind Waywayseecappo at 9-3 after their first 12 games.
By the numbers:
Waywayseecappo:
GF - 64 (1st in the West)
GA - 41 (2nd in the West)
Leaders: Boston Bird, Lonan Bulger - 15 points
Luke Robson - 12 points
At least seven players have at least 10 points this season. That includes Troy Hamilton who was acquired from the Estevan Bruins, he's scored 11 times already this season.
Goaltending: Liam Tereposky - 7-2, .884 save percentage and a 3.63 goals-against average
Dauphin:
GF - 48 (2nd in the West)
GA - 29 (1st in the West)
Leaders: Colby Jaquet - 21 points
Kaden Bryant - 14 points
Brayden Dube - 11 points
Dube's eight goals are the most on the team and just in case you didn't know, he's just 16-years-old
Goaltending: Carson Cherepak - 7-2, .929 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average
The first game of the four-game series will be played at Credit Union Place on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
"I think we match up well with Dauphin as far as any homework that we have done," said Harnett. "Our biggest focus is focusing on our strengths, we don't spend too much time going over our opponent's video. We're well aware that they're going to be very strong defensively and they have players that can put the puck in the net as well. It's going to be a great battle head-to-head, I don't think there's a doubt about that."
Waywayseecappo enters the game on a six-game winning streak while Dauphin has won six of their last seven games.