The Weyburn Red Wings dropped their season-opening first two games at home over the weekend, both by one goal, but team manager Ron Rumball is taking it all in stride, and is confident things will improve as the brand-new season unfolds.
"It's early in the season. We know with so many new players in the line-up we're certainly going to be making errors of omission instead of commission," said Rumball.
The Wings' home-opener was a heart-breaking loss on Friday evening, as they lost 5-4 to division rival Lebret Eagles in an overtime shootout. The game was also a goaltenders' showdown, as the Wings' Greg Johnston faced former Royal Bank Cup teammate Cavan Hoffman, who was between the pipes for the Eagles.
Lebret led 3-0 going into the third period, when the Red Wings staged a comeback by scoring four goals, two of them on the powerplay, to take a 4-3 lead. Lebret tied the game back up late in the game, however, sending the match into overtime. Nothing was settled in the overtime period which led to the shootout. A goal scored by the Wings in the shootout was called back, as the referee hadn't whistled in the play, so the goal by Lebret's Charles Brown stood as the winner.
The Wings goals were scored by Kris Cheater, Zac Desjardins, Jack Gradwell and Caley Cox.
On Sunday, the Saskatoon Rage came to do battle in the Colosseum, and the Wings dropped a 2-1 lead as the Rage scored twice in the third to win 3-2. Weyburn's goals, both in the second period, came from Caley Cox and Brad Denis.
"We have to improve our team discipline, and work on the basic things, like staying with your backchecks, not releasing your player too soon. You have to play a little harder for the full 60 minutes," said Rumball, adding that numerous first-period penalties in the game against Lebret allowed them to take the lead.
The Wings are also not as offensively potent as they need to be, he added, but these things will come as the season goes along. The boys showed a lot of character to come back against a tough team like Lebret in the third period, but the good play couldn't be sustained right to the end of the period.
Against Saskatoon, the GM said he would have preferred the Wings players to be more physical in their play and to pay more attention to the fundamentals of the game.
"Defensively we've been pretty solid. We hope the group will capitalize on our chances. We're still experimenting with different lines, switching people around. The veterans have been helping the new guys quite a bit; now we have to take up another level and become more consistent in the execution of plays," said Rumball.
In the coming week, Weyburn travels to Melville to face the Millionaires tonight, and then the Wings will host the Nipawin Hawks at home in the Colosseum.
"Melville is going to be very hungry, with a lot of returning players. They'll be very hard to play against at home. We'll have to be ripping and ready," said Rumball.
The Red Wings, along with all of the teams in the SJHL, will be doing battle for a new trophy this year. The league announced on Wednesday that, through a new sponsorship agreement with the province's credit unions, the SJHL championship will be known as the MemberCARE Financial Services Cup. The Hanbidge Cup will also remain, and will be the Saskatchewan Hockey Association Junior A championship.
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