There might be something to that Friday the 13th stuff. One of the most famous calls in sports history, "Do you believe in miracles?" marked the end of the incredible victory of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team over the mighty Red Army Team of the USSR. The Whitefish Wolverines did something truly incredible, and somewhat similar, when they took on the Idaho Steelheads Friday night in McCall, Idaho.

Let’s take a moment to dissect the probability of the Wolverines defeating the Steelheads in the first of a three game series this weekend. First, the Wolverines left at 3 a.m. Friday for an eleven hour bus ride. Second, they left behind five men due to an illness or injury or, in the case of Kristian Evans, taking care of important college matters back home in Minnesota. Third, Idaho was undefeated in regulation time going into tonight’s game and ranks first in the division and the league. Fourth, Idaho is considered to be one of the best Junior hockey teams in the nation this year. You get the point.

Tonight’s game was going to be an uphill battle but not impossible. Nothing’s impossible. And the Wolverines proved that tonight. Wolverines’ goaltender Brendan Schultz was stellar in the net. Idaho outshot Whitefish 31-18, but Schultz took the heat and kept the Steelheads at bay. In fact, late in the third, Schultz faced a six on three when Idaho pulled their goaltender; the Steelheads prevailed during that short stint but not without a stifling effort by the willful netminder.

The Wolverines haven’t always been consistent offensively and putting the biscuit in the basket to lock up wins hasn’t always been easy, but this narrative is different. Toughness. Perseverance. Cohesiveness. Tonight’s win was a concerted effort by every player on the roster, which is exactly the way the Wolverines wish to build their program. They played mightily through the first period and prevented Idaho from scoring. With only two minutes left, Riley Ingalls sunk one for Whitefish with Danny Roe and Evan Carter assisting, giving Whitefish a 1-0 lead at the end of the first.

Coach Joakim Falt kept that energy up as the boys came out in the second scoring two goals within the first four minutes of play. Brett Fernandez roofed one by Steelheads goaltender Tyler Hough. Bryan Polmear received the assist. Chris Cutshall then buried one off a great pass from Kieffer Helbing ending the night for Hough. Meanwhile, the Wolverines’ defensive play prevented Idaho from scoring in the second, giving Whitefish a 3-0 lead at the end of period two play.

Cutshall stormed out in the third and earned a shorthanded goal after Sam Appleby was called for cross-checking.  The Wolverines’ defensemen continued their efforts while the fierce duo of Fernandez and Polmear struck again when Fernandez added another goal for the Wolverines, giving them a 5-0 lead. The Steelheads finally broke Schultz’s shutout when, with a two man advantage, they pulled goalie Austin Althaus for the six on three, and Steelheads’ Robert Neuwirth tallied to get them on the board. In the last minute of play, Ingalls felt compelled to add one last point for the Wolverines when he deflected a Helbing shot past goaltender Althaus, sealing up  a 6-1 victory. Ian Wiens assisted in the last play of the game.

“We are the first team that beat them in regulation this year. It was fun. This was a big win for the program,” expressed Coach Falt. Without question, Idaho will be prepared for tomorrow night’s game, but if the Wolverines compete with the same determination and cohesiveness, it should be a very exciting contest. Go Wolverines!