Pasquale gets job done for Wolves in home opener
Don Lever didn’t expect Eddie Pasquale to be in the position that he’s in.
Lever expected Pasquale to come to camp and push veteran goalies Drew MacIntyre and Peter Mannino.
So far this young season both MacIntyre and Mannino have been called up by the Atlanta Thrashers, the Wolves’ NHL affiliate, leaving Pasquale as Lever’s only choice.
The 19-year-old has responded well, earning victories in both his starts.
Pasquale got the start again Saturday night in front of 10,924 on opening night against the Milwaukee Admirals.
Just like Friday night, neither the Wolves nor the Admirals could close out the game in regulation, needing overtime to determine the winner, but this time the Allstate Arena crowd was treated to a 3-2 shootout victory.
Pasquale came up big, stopping three of the four shooters he faced, and Spencer Machacek secured the victory by beating Admirals goaltender Chet Pickard.
“It was fun, Pasquale said. “We went to overtime last night, so I was looking forward to the shootout tonight.
Lever, glad about the victory, still isn’t happy with the way his team is playing.
“They outworked us, he said. “That’s not good in our own building.
“Our puck movement wasn’t good. Our forecheck wasn’t good. They were winning the puck battles.
The Wolves started strong, controlling Milwaukee in the first half of the first period, but Mark Santorelli put a loose puck past Pasquale with just more than a minute left in the period.
The Wolves responded in the second. After Andre Deveaux bloodied Admirals defenseman Scott Ford, Jamie Sifers’ shot from the point was put in by Jared Ross.
“I’m happy with the way Deveaux and Arturs (Kulda), who also fought Ford, responded with their situations, Lever said.
Shortly after Ross’ goal, Mark Van Guilder scored to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead, but the Wolves continued to dig and Mike Siklenka’s slap shot on the power play beat Pickard late in the third period.
The Wolves (3-1) next take on Abbotsford on Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena.