The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are looking to advance to the Canterra Seeds Cup Final with a win on home ice tonight against the Flin Flon Bombers. After going up 3-0 in the semi-final series, the Red Wings have dropped their last two games to set up tonight’s Game 6 at Crescent Point Place. With the opportunity to advance to the finals for the first time in over a decade on home ice, head coach and general manager Cody Mapes of the Red Wings knows how special this game could be.
“This is a great opportunity for us. We're excited with the chance to, you know, advance at home in front of what have been great crowds. It's been a long time since this organization has had this opportunity, and you know we're very grateful for it and we're looking forward to a good hockey game here tonight and just the opportunity to do something special.”
The Red Wings have done some pretty special things all year long. In the regular season, they finished with a record of 35-19-2, good for third in SJHL standings and won their first Viterra Division championship since 2016. That set them up for a first-round matchup against the 6th-seeded Battlefords North Stars, who they were able to beat in 6 games.
Now up 3-2 in the semi-final series against the Bombers, the Red Wings will look to repeat that success and advance to the Canterra Seeds Cup final and take on the Melfort Mustangs. With the support of the hometown crowd, Mapes says the energy and excitement at ice level is what’s truly special.
“I've heard a few guys say when they step out on the ice for puck drop, it's pretty shocking to see how many people are there right now and it's really cool to see. The rink is obviously full, and you know that stuff gives our guys a big, big push. Like I said, we're excited about that and it's going to be a big advantage for us with, you know, that kind of support behind us for sure.”
The puck drops on Game 6 of the SJHL semi-finals between the Red Wings and Bombers over at Crescent Point Place at 7 P.M. If you can’t make it in person, you can catch all the action over on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7 starting at 6:45 P.M. with the pre-game show.