The home opener of the 2025-2026 PJHL season for the North Vancouver Wolf Pack did not disappoint as they defeated the Aldergrove Ironmen 7-5. Both teams came out of the gates flying, but despite North Van’s efforts, they could not get a puck past Aldergrove’s Mitchell Tyre. The Ironmen went on to score two goals and led 2-0 after the first, being outshot 22 to nine. They followed that up by scoring early on into the second to extend their lead to three goals.
Anxiety and nerves began to fill the stands, but the Wolf Pack would not back down. Braydon Suderman broke the shutout, finishing on a great three-way passing play between him, Lucas Davidson and Jack Jobst-Smith midway through the second. Moments later, Cameron Hacker blasted a one-timer into the back of the net for his first PJHL goal, to make it a one-goal game. The scoring didn’t end there, Ryan McGowan slotted one home with seven minutes left in the period to tie it all up.
Assistant Coach/GM David Beaupré applauded the team for their resilience and no-quit attitude. “There was zero negativity on the bench. A great indication of our leadership group and the calmness on the bench,” said Beaupré. The Wolf Pack and the Ironmen went on to exchange a goal each late in the period before Ty Godfrey’s heroic solo effort put North Vancouver back in front with one second remaining in the second period.
The Ironmen tied the game up to start off the final frame as Alex McMillan scored his second goal of the game. However, the Wolf Pack’s resilience and competitive level continued. Defencemen Jack Pidduck and Ty Godfrey both scored their second goals of the game to put their team in front and solidify a 7-5 win.
“We’ve got to clean up our management of the puck for next week, but the team’s competitiveness was great. Any time you can put 63 shots on goal, you’re doing a lot of good things there,” Beaupré said. The Wolf Pack finished the game outshooting the Aldergrove Ironmen 60-21. Jack Pidduck, Ryan McGowan and Cam Hacker all scored their first PJHL goal in the home opener. North Vancouver returns to action for their second game of the season next Thursday when they take on Cloverdale HC on the road.
Author: Braeden Coombes
