Despite a two-goal deficit after the opening period and issues with the clock that plagued parts of the game, the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings found a way to extend their winning streak to four games Tuesday night.
Simon Pollock scored twice, and the Wings scored three goals in 95 seconds early in the third, to climb to a 6-4 win over the visiting Kindersley Klippers. The win helped Weyburn open up the gap over the Norte Dame Hounds for the eighth and final playoff spot, and they stay nine points back of the Nipawin Hawks for seventh, improving to 17-20-0-1 on the season.
Jackson Hassman opened the scoring for the Red Wings early in the first period. His goal, at the 5:46 mark, was assisted by Ryley Morgan. The Klippers, though, would find a way to rally back.
In just over five minutes in the first, Kindersley would beat starting goaltender Matt Schoepoerster three times. Adam Paplawski would score with 5:04 remaining in the period. A minute later, Tylin Hilbig scored, then Cash Arntsen would tally with just 41 seconds remaining in the period.
When it came to scoring, neither team would be able to find the twine in the second period, although there were plenty of opportunities in both directions. In the third period, however, Weyburn would rally back and then some.
It started with Pollock scoring his seventh of the campaign just 2:24 into the period, assisted by Jakob Kalin and Max Henderson. Then, 41 seconds later, Ian Maier would notch his second of the year, assisted by Carter Briltz and Nick Kovacs.
Pollock’s second of the game, and eighth of the year, would come 44 seconds after Maier’s goal to make it 4-3, giving the Wings the lad. Kalin and Elijah Anderson had the assists on the goal.
The lead wouldn’t last too long, however.
Arntsen’s second of the game for the Klippers, scored on the power play with 12:23 on the clock, would even things up 4-4.
The Wings wouldn’t be deterred, though.
Finding themselves shorthanded late in the period, Weyburn’s Max Monette would get the puck past Kindersley goaltender Cody Jaman with 2:41 to play. The goal, which would stand as the game-winner, was assisted by Morgan and Blake Norris.
Kalin would close out the scoring with 17 seconds left to play. His 17th of the year, an empty-netter, was assisted by Morgan, who finished the night with three assists.
The Red Wings will now get set for the Melfort Mustangs, who will be the second team to come to Weyburn for this seven-game homestand. That game will go Friday night at Crescent Point Place. Then, the Klippers will return to Crescent Point Place Saturday night as they finish off a four games, five nights swing through the southeast.