Oshawa FireWolves suffer deja vu in loss to Vancouver Warriors

Coming up with a New Year’s resolution for the Oshawa FireWolves is simple: Score more goals. 

The FireWolves went lacking once again on the front end in an 8-6 loss to the Vancouver Warriors on Friday at Tribute Communities Centre. Of those six goals, just two came in the final three quarters, including one with just seconds left in a game that was already decided. 

It was the continuation of what has been a major problem for Oshawa after scoring just twice against the Halifax Thunderbirds two weeks ago and only five in a loss to the Georgia Swarm last week. Even their opening-night win against the Toronto Rock produced just an eight-goal effort. 

That inability to finish is wasting some good defensive performances and solid goaltending from Doug Jamieson.  

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t,” FireWolves’ head coach Glenn Clark said. “To run an offence, you look at putting guys in positions to have success, get looks, and get good shots. 

“We generated better looks today, but we’re not getting the hardest part, which is finishing the ball. It’s a bit of a puzzle, a frustration with the whole group.” 

Ethan Walker scored twice for the FireWolves (1-3). Alex Simmons, Mike Byrne, Taggert Clark and Dyson Williams added singles. Helping the Warriors (2-1) were aided by a 48-save performance from Christian Del Bianco. Keegan Bal, Curtis Dickson, and Marcus Klarich scored twice for Vancouver. Jesse King and Jackson Suboch scored once. 

The FireWolves get the week off during the holidays before hosting the Ottawa Black Bears on Jan. 3. 

ELSEWHERE: The Black Bears fell behind 9-1 to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs late in the first half then went on an 8-0 run. But Mitch Jones scored his third of the game with 2:20 left to give Vegas (1-1) the 10-9 win on Saturday.  Reilly O’Connor and Rob Hellyer scored twice each for Ottawa (1-2). 

The Swarm also had scoring issues, losing 7-4 to the Saskatchewan Rush. The Rush led 5-1 after three and scored twice late to run its record to 2-1. Georgia dropped to 1-2. Of note, star forward Lyle Thompson has just one goal on the season for Georgia.  

The Rochester Knighthawks have no trouble scoring, putting up 15 for a second consecutive week in a 15-11 win over the Philadelphia Wings. Led with five goals from Connor Fields, the Knighthawks improved to 2-0 while the Wings fell to 1-1. 

The Rock (1-1), who celebrated its return to Hamilton last week with an 11-10 win, will be back in action on Dec. 27 at TD Coliseum against the Desert Dogs, which will be visiting for the first time as a franchise.