Saturday night wrap-up
🚨WILD WIN!🚨 Dylan Herzog (@DHerzog_14) with the redirection and the Wild win it in OT! 🍎Goal assisted by Luke Ormsby and Sam Morton. pic.twitter.com/kd16LRTTab
— Wenatchee Wild (@WenatcheeWild1) February 2, 2020
All 3,560 fans at Wenatchee’s Town Toyota Center were sent home happy Saturday night after witnessing an overtime thriller. The Wild dispatched the league leading Coquitlam Express 4-3 after a goal by Dylan Herzog just 35 seconds into overtime. Luke Ormsby dished a backhand pass to Herzog after the puck was dished to him by Sam Morton. Morton finishes with four points overall against Coquitlam this season grabbing a goal and assist in each matchup.
The season series between the teams finishes tied at one game apiece. Coquitlam dumped Wenatchee 4-2 at home on December 8. That game in Coquitlam saw Ethan O’Rourke grab two points for the home team with a goal and assist. The Wild made an adjustment in net Saturday night, starting a different goalie than the previous match up. Noah Altman got the nod this time and saved 33 of 36 shots. The Express fall to 40-8-1-1 with total of 82 points with eight games left, including two at home. Wenatchee improves to 24-22-3-1 for total of 52 points, also with eight games remaining, including two at home.
Next up for each team
Wenatchee’s next game comes Wednesday as the Wild travel to Northern BC to take on the Prince George Spruce Kings who sit last in the Mainland Division at 17-28-2-3 and 39 points. Coquitlam’s next game comes Tuesday as the Express travel to Vancouver Island to face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The Bulldogs sit fourth in the Island Division with a record of 24-22-1-2 and 51 points.
Wenatchee’s next home game is a Valentine’s Day clash with the Vernon Vipers. The Snakes are third in the Interior Division at 26-21-2-1 and 55 points. Coquitlam returns home on February 8 to face-off with the Victoria Grizzlies. The Grizz are last in the Island Division at 20-29-1-0 with 41 points.
Looking toward playoffs
Both Coquitlam and Wenatchee have already clinched a playoff spot for this season. Wenatchee has grabbed at least the fifth spot in the Interior Division while Coquitlam has clinched first place in the Mainland Division. The Wild haven’t missed the playoffs in the five seasons since joining the BCHL in the 2015-16 season. It is Wenatchee’s third straight playoff appearance since switching to Interior Division from the Mainland Division for the 2017-18 season.
