The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are coming home with a split in the opening weekend of the Canterra Seeds Cup Final against the Melfort Mustangs. After a tight 2-1 win in Game 1 on Saturday night, the Red Wings were shut out 3-0 in Game 2 on Sunday.
Head Coach and General Manager Cody Mapes said his team didn't bring the same level of intensity in the second game of the series.
“We lacked a little urgency,” Mapes said after the loss. “I think we kind of got caught by surprise a little bit tonight, and we just got to get back to what’s going to give us success—be first on pucks and stay disciplined.”
Despite the loss, Mapes was quick to highlight the positives, including the fact that the series is even heading into a pair of games on home ice.
“We’re coming out of here with a split, so we’re okay with that,” he noted. “We got a couple days off to regroup… obviously we got to spend some time here, get this power play cooking, but we’re looking forward to getting home.”
The Red Wings will host Games 3 and 4 at Crescent Point Place on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first time since 2012 that Weyburn fans have had the chance to cheer on their team at home in an SJHL final.
“I hope [the energy] is great,” Mapes said. “The boys really get a good bump from them when the crowds are loud… so we hope that our fans back home can give us a good boost of energy come Game 3.”
Tickets for Games 3 and 4 will be available from the team office beginning Monday. Those who are unable to make it to the game can catch all the action on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7. Dylan Fiessel and John Prette will have the call with the pregame show starting at 6:45 p.m. both nights.
Puck drop for Game 3 is set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.