ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The Wichita Falls Warriors (29-18-1-6) traveled to the Outpost Ice Arena for
just their second time this season to face the New Mexico Ice Wolves (20-29-3-2) in the final
regular season series.
In the first period, it was a clean game of hockey. For the first time in about five games it was the
first time that neither the Warriors or their opponent would commit a penalty, which has not been
the norm. The Warriors would open up the scoring, as leading rookie scorer William Lawson-
Body (7) would make it a 1-0 lead from an assist by Patrick Neal (1). The Warriors would hold
off the Ice Wolves to a scoreless first and hold the lead after the first 20 minutes.
New Mexico would take three penalties in the second period and the Warriors were able to
capitalize on only one of their six man advantages. This one came off the stick of Thomas Wies
(20) unassisted and would give the Warriors a 2-0 lead early in the second period. The Warriors
would take two penalties of their own in the second period but would be successful on both of
their penalty kills. Right at the end of the period, the Ice Wolves would cut the deficit to 2-1 as
Peter Lychnikoff (1). After 40 minutes of play it was a 2-1 lead for the Warriors.
Just thirteen seconds into the 3rd period Adisen Brueck (13) would give the Warriors a 3-1 lead
and an early two goal lead over the Ice Wolves. Things would soon change. Nine Minutes into
the period the Ice Wolves would cut the Warriors lead to 3-2. Joey Larson (16) would get the
credit for the goal. Just four minutes later it would be Joey Larson (17) again as now the Ice
Wolves would tie the game at 3-3. A quick turn around for the Warriors as now they were faced
with a tie game. Three minutes later the Ice Wolves would grab their first lead of the game as
Jack Bayless (9) would find the back of the net and give New Mexico a 4-3 lead. In the last
minute of the game the Warriors would have the man advantage and the empty net. The Ice
Wolves would take advantage of this as Jeff Hucthinson (4) would make it four straight goals for
New Mexico and defeat the Warriors in game one of this three game set by a score of 5-3.
Beni Halaz would get the win for the Ice Wolves (11-8-1-1) and recorded 33 saves on 36 shots.
Owen Bartoszkiewicz would get the loss for the Warriors (23-13-1-3) and record 21 saves on 26 shots.
