The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings went into the third period of last night’s game in Melfort against the Mustangs with a 3-2 lead. A pair of quick goals from the home team changed the Red Wings' fortunes, and Melfort managed to come away with a 4-3 victory.
“We battled hard, and it came down to a couple of bounces that went their way,” said Weyburn forward Braigh LeGrandeur after the game. “It’s something to build on, and we can definitely learn from it.”
“You’ve got to make sure you compete and you’re all in for the entire game, and I thought we were pretty good with that for the most part tonight,” said Wings head coach Cody Mapes. “I thought it was a huge improvement here from a week ago.”
Weyburn would get on the board first as Ethan Dekay netted his 24th of the season, unassisted, 5:10 into the first period. There would then be a lull in the action before the two teams combined for three goals in a span of three minutes.
Melfort would be first as Reilley Kotai got the puck past Weyburn goalie Angelo Zol with 6:47 to go. Just under a minute later, Logan Belton scored for the Mustangs to put them up 2-1.
LeGrandeur would reply for the Red Wings with 3:46 left in the first period with his 9th of the year to even things up again. Ryder Rommelaere and Josh Karman had the assists on the goal.
Weyburn would then get the lead again early into the second period. Just 48 seconds in Lucas Schmid’s 10th of the year, scored shorthanded and unassisted, put the Red Wings up 3-2. The score would hold there until the third period.
In the third, Melfort’s Ashton Hutchinson would score to even things up 3-3 5:52 into the final frame. Then with 5:42 left, a shorthanded goal by Danton Cox would put Melfort up 4-3.
From here, the Red Wings will get set to take on the Hawks in Nipawin tonight. The last visit Weyburn paid to the Nipawin Hawks, back on October 16th, was a 9-1 win for the Red Wings. Since then, however, the Hawks have proven to be formidable opponents against top-tier teams, with wins over Melfort and Flin Flon.
Catch all the action in tonight’s game on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7. Dylan Fiessel has the call, starting with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.