The winning streak is over for the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings.
The Red Wings fell 4-3 in overtime last night against the Humboldt Broncos, the first loss for the Red Wings since October 4th. As the loss was in overtime, it does mean Weyburn has recorded at least a point in eight straight games, keeping the unbeaten-in-regulation streak alive.
Head coach and general manager Cody Mapes acknowledged they did have a slow start, but things started to pick up in the second period.
“Down the stretch, I thought we were pretty good,” Mapes said after the game. “Gave ourselves a chance, and had to fix some things up and had to get a little more energy and our guys did that, and at the end of the day we’re on a four-game road trip here that we get seven out of eight points, so I mean, can’t complain too much about it, but we definitely left a little meat on the bone tonight.”
The Broncos would jump out into the lead in the first period when Kye Benoche scored 3:52 into the game. Then, 54 seconds into the second period, Commor Miller found the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Weyburn replied at the 9:18 mark of the second period when Braigh LeGrandeur scored his fourth of the season, unassisted. Then, a shorthanded goal from Jerome Maharaj 4:55 into the third period, assisted by Cyprus Smith-Davis, would even the game up 2-2.
“We were down on the PK, and not much time left in the game so definitely needed one and his (Broncos goalie Brady Holtvogt’s) glove was open so just buried it,” Maharaj said of his goal.
Humboldt would regain the lead shortly after when Boris Kofman beat Angelo Zol to make it 3-2.
A power play would help change the fortunes of the Red Wings, though. With 9:39 to play in the third, Max Chakrabarti scored his fourth of the season to make it 3-3. His goal was assisted by Ethan Dekay, who extended his point streak to nine games.
In the 3-on-3 overtime period, Humboldt would be the ones to score, when Oakley McIllwain got the puck past Zol to give the Broncos the win.
The Red Wings will now return to the friendly confines of Crescent Point Place for their next two games, as the Melville Millionaires come to town on Friday, and the Melfort Mustangs on Saturday.
“Just keep the train rolling,” said Chakrabarti about what the team will be looking to do back at home. “Take the momentum we have, use it at home, get the fans going, get some wins at home, and keep on rolling.”