Despite controlling the pace of play for the majority of the game, and outshooting the visiting Melfort Mustangs, the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings would run into a hot goalie, and ended up falling 2-1 at Crescent Point Place Saturday night.
"This was a much better effort than last weekend, and I truly do believe that things are going the right way here," Red Wings head coach Cody Mapes said after the game. "We're disappointed in the outcome; we're definitely not disappointed in the effort and the details."
The Red Wings did get the opening goal when Luke Dekay scored his first goal as Red Wing 3:47 into the first period.
"It feels really great," Dekay said. "First Junior A game, first Junior A goal. It feels really great, getting the monkey off the back."
Dekay wasn't the only Red Wing making their debut with the team Saturday. Gustus Zemaitis drew into the lineup, as did the newly acquired Tyler Dahms, who came to the club from the NAHL's Aberdeen Wings.
"It's an awesome place, great atmosphere," Dahms said of the transition to Weyburn. "The fans are super devoted here, just like back in Aberdeen, so didn't really take much to get acclimated; just gotta play to my game, and stay strong and confident."
The Mustangs would answer when Zayden Sadlemyer scored with 3:54 to go in the period to even things up.
In the second period, the goaltenders would hold the score even. In the Weyburn zone, Angelo Zol, making his second start of the young season, would turn aside 13 shots, and stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced in the game.
A power play in the third period, on a goaltender interference call against Cyprus Smith-Davis that the 679 in attendance loudly didn't agree with, would give the Mustangs a chance.
They would capitalize on the opportunity, as Zach Turner scored with the man advantage to put the Mustangs up 2-1.
Mustangs netminder Kristian Coombs would hold the Red Wings off in the remainder of the period, stopping 12 shots to preserve the win.
The Red Wings will now get a rest as they prepare for two more opponents from the Sherwood Division next weekend. They will host the Flin Flon Bomber Friday night at Crescent Point Place, and then the Nipawin Hawks Saturday night.