The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings edged closer to clinching first in the Viterra Division Friday night, as they skated to a 3-1 win over the Melville Millionaires at Crescent Point Place.
"I thought the boys played well tonight," said head coach Cody Mapes after the game. "Tonight wasn't about X's and O's. It was about mentality, and it was about a willingness to compete and get to the blue paint. I thought our guys did a really good job."
The tight checking game would see Weyburn take the lead in the first period, when Jonah Bierd notched his fifth of the season with a blast from the top of the slot that got past Ben Laurette with 6:31 left on the clock. He was assisted on the goal by Josh Sale and Blake Betson.
The Millionaires would finally get something past Angelo Zol at the other end, when Raine Hodge scored with just one minute left in the second period. Before the period was over, though, Melville would take a penalty which would end up costing them in the third.
With a delay of game penalty assessed against Brendan Olson as the period expired, Weyburn would get a man advantage to start the final frame and they would make it count.
Liam Fitzgerald scored his 18th goal of the season just 55 seconds into the period to put Weyburn up 2-1. The power play marker was assisted by Jerome Maharaj and Jaxson Ruthven.
Weyburn kept the pressure up throughout the period, and it paid off with 4:49 to go as Josh Sale scored his 11th of the year, with persistence in the crease area. His goal, assisted by Luke Dekay and Ethan Dekay, would put the Red Wings up 3-1.
The Millionaires would pull Laurette for an extra attacker in the dying minutes, but were unable to capitalize. Weyburn wasn't either, despite a number of solid chances with the open net.
With the win, Weyburn is now four points up on Yorkton for first in the Viterra Division, and has secured home ice advantage for the opening round of the playoffs. They will have a chance to potentially clinch first place Saturday, as they travel to Melville for the second half of a home-and-home.
A Red Wings win, coupled with a Yorkton loss, will secure the Viterra Division title, as well as the third seed in the postseason.
You can catch all the action in Saturday's game on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7. The puck drops at 3 p.m. Dylan Fiessel will have the call starting with the pregame show at 2:45 p.m.