A goal in the first period would be all the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings needed Friday night, as Angelo Zol made 22 saves for his league-leading fourth shutout of the season to help the Red Wings to a 1-0 win over the Nipawin Hawks.
"The boys played fantastic," Zol said after the game. "It was a good bounce-back win. They were blocking shots, clearing bodies, and they made my job easy tonight."
Josh Karman had the lone goal for the Red Wings, scoring with 8:19 remaining in the first period. Ethan Dekay and Jaxson Ruthven assisted with his fourth of the year.
"It's always thought after you come off a game like Melfort in a big barn, coming into a smaller barn," noted Karman. "We knew it was going to be tough, but I feel like we did a good job keeping our heads down and sticking to the process."
With the win, the Red Wings moved closer to clinching a playoff spot. They now have a magic number of three to clinch a post-season berth, and could get some help from the Melfort Mustangs when they take on the La Ronge Ice Wolves Saturday night.
Weyburn will now focus their attention on the next game, however - a match-up with the Estevan Bruins at Crescent Point Place on Monday.
"We're pumped," said Zol. "We're going to rest up tomorrow and bring some energy Monday."
Karman is looking forward to the game as well.
"I think we're all excited," the blueline commented. "Family Day, afternoon game. The crowd's going to be good. We've got a skate after with some kids, so it'll be fun."
The game on Monday also carries a little extra when it comes to bragging rights. A Red Wings win will clinch the Highway 39 Cup for the second season in a row.
The game on Monday will have several activities and events, including celebrating alumni from the team and the players skating with kids after the game. The puck drops at 3 p.m. Monday.