Predators' attacker Brayden Shewchuk (left) was fired up after scoring a first period goal Saturday in a win over the Swift Current Wolverines. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Predators Lacrosse

Predators hold on to beat ‘best’ PGLL team

May 7, 2022 | 8:58 PM

Prince Albert Predators head coach Tyson Fetch said his team going to be tested by the Swift Current Wolverines on Saturday, who were the best team in the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League junior ranks in Fetch’s estimation.

That test was passed by the Predators, as they defeated the Wolverines 9-8 in front of a raucous crowd.

Just 18 seconds into the game, Matthew Cudmore scored on the Predators’ first shot of the game, igniting an already loud and boisterous Kinsmen Arena.

However, the Predators wouldn’t have another goal to celebrate for almost the remainder of the period as two would-be goals were disallowed for crease violations. The Wolverines found their rhythm as well, scoring three goals and getting a 3-1 advantage late in the first. But Predators’ Brayden Shewchuk riled the crowd, and himself, back up with a goal and passionate celebration to make it 3-2 with 1:47 left in the first period.

The Predators started to make a statement in the second period, as they scored four consecutive goals in a four-minute span to take a 6-3 lead. Hayden Ulriksen and Brayden Reiger scored nine seconds apart to kickstart the Predators’ run. About three-and-half minutes after that, Koltin Fyrk and Reiger scored 13 seconds apart with 6:08 left in the second period. Kaiden Fletcher stopped the bleeding for the Wolverines, putting them within two goals with one period remaining.

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Captain Davin Ikert scored nine seconds into the third period, right off the faceoff, before Tyson Perreault scored a pair to give the Predators a 9-4 lead and all the momentum.

But the Wolverines are pesky by nature and were keen to make a game of it. Austin Klimm scored just six seconds later, after being sprung quickly on a breakaway on the faceoff.

The Predators then got into penalty trouble, going down two men for 1:40. Riley Pribyl scored with 6:11 left to get the Wolverines within three.

Pribyl scored again to make it a 9-7 game with 2:40 left, and off the ensuing faceoff, Klimm was sprung on another breakaway and was held, forcing a penalty shot. Klimm converted it, making the score 9-8 and a very nervous final 2:34 in the Kinsmen.

The Predators were able to hold on and kill off enough time, and Predators goaltender Duncan Fetch continued to spoil good Wolverine chances like he did all game. Fetch made 41 saves in the game for the victory.

The Predators are now 2-0 on the season, and will take on the Saskatoon Jr. SWAT on Tuesday at the Kinsmen Arena.

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jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW