The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings moved closer to clinching the Highway 39 Cup Friday night, as they topped the Estevan Bruins 3-2 in overtime. The win also pulled the Red Wings within four points of the Flin Flon Bombers for second overall in the SJHL.
"Honestly, it starts with our goaltending," said head coach Cody Mapes when asked after the game about how they were able to come away with two points. "I thought Ty (Matonovich) was unbelievable tonight. He made sure he gave us a chance."
The Bruins, though, would be the first to get on the board. Steven Steranka would score on the power play with 2:27 remaining in the first period to give Estevan the lead.
The Red Wings replied with a power play goal of their own, as Cyprus Smith-Davis notched his 12th of the season just 65 seconds into the second period. Lucas Schmid and Josh Karman had the assists on the goal.
From there, the goaltenders would take over for the rest of the frame, with Matonovich stopping all 13 shots that he faced in the frame, and Zach Shaughnessy turning aside 10 in the Estevan crease.
In the third period, Red Wings captain Blake Betson would need just 3:35 to find the back of the net to put Weyburn into the lead. Karman would get his second assist of the game on the goal, with he other helper from Josh Sale.
Matonovich would nearly finish the game without letting in another goal, but with 36 seconds left, and the Estevan net empty in favour of the extra attacker, Ewan Rennie scored to tie the game up at 2-2, ensuring there would be overtime.
In the 3-on-3 overtime, it wouldn't take long for the Red Wings to get the win. Luke Dekay would score just 53 seconds into the extra frame, giving Weyburn the win, and a 3-0-1 edge in the Highway 39 Cup.
"Just went out of the zone, went around, passed it to Chak (defenseman Max Chakrabarti)," Dekay said, recalling the goal after the game. "I was calling for the puck, he gave me a great feed, and it was a good pass and play tap-in."
The other person who assisted on the goal was Dekay's brother Ethan.
Matonovich, in his second start for the Red Wings, would finish the night stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced to get his second win with the Red Wings.
"I think our D zone was great - guys cleared the net in front, I saw everything, and we battled hard," commented Matonovich.
The Highway 39 series will now return to Crescent Point Place, with the Red Wings able to clinch the trophy with a win. They will also be looking to hopefully expand on their lead over the Yorkton Terriers for 1st in the Viterra Division.
For the players, they are looking forward to what the crowd will bring to the friendly confines of Crescent Point Place.
"We're going to be pumping, jamming for tomorrow, and they're probably going to be like, 'Oh, we got to play the Weyburn Red Wings'," laughed Luke Dekay.
"We're excited to get back to it, get out of here with two points and get two more tomorrow, hopefully, at home in front of all the parents," Mapes said.
The Red Wings will be welcoming the parents of the players and the billet families that have hosted the players this season, before the game. It is also the first Blackout Game for the Red Wings, with the first 600 fans through the stands to get red glow sticks.
The puck drops at Crescent Point Place at 7 p.m.