The Weyburn Midget AA Petrobakken Energy Wings kicked off their 2012-2013 SSMHL schedule with a home game versus the Balgonie Prairie Storm on Sunday, October 7.
Weyburn opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period by Kyle Mryglod with the lone assist to Tucker Neuberger. The teams traded goals in the second with Balgonie scoring at the 15 second mark to tie the game at 1-1. However the Wings were able to respond quickly as less than a minute later, Karsen Szczecinski buried the puck in front of the net on a feed from Braden Rood. Braden Mellon also registered an assist on the second goal to put the Wings up 2-1 as the teams headed into the third period. The Wings got their third goal of the game a minute into the third period as Mryglod got his second of the night on a cross ice pass from Neuberger with Cole Sjostrand also drawing a helper. Balgonie wouldn't retreat and were able to pull within one before the halfway mark of the third. Again the Wings stretched their lead to two goals as Brandon McGillis came flying down the right wing and let a slap shot go from a sharp angle that just trickled by the Prairie Storm netminder and Cole Rooney was there to make sure the puck crossed the line giving the Wings a 4-2 lead. Balgonie would keep things interesting as they add their third goal with 3:47 to go in the game to pull back within one. Terrick Wilderman kept the door closed the rest of the way and earned the Wings a big win in their season opener by a score of 4-3.
This year's version of the team includes a good foundation of veteran players and a good looking group of rookies. Back this year on the blue line are veterans Kendall Oliver, Daniel Fellner, Jacob Eger, Braden Rood and Lance Tendler. Joining the defensive squad are Cody Robertson and Josh Ferris. Up front, the Wings are lead by veterans Tucker Neuberger, Cole Sjostrand, Jack Carleton, Braden Mellon and Kolten Cleasby. Joining the team this year are forwards Kyle Mryglod, Cole Rooney, Karsen Szczecinski, Jarrett Metheral and Brandon McGillis. Returning to the Wings this year is goaltender Terrick Wilderman and joining the team is goalie Dylan Hockley. This year's coaching staff includes head coach Kris Hockley assisted by Todd Neuberger and Mike Rooney and trainers Tyler Metheral and Sheryl Oliver.
The Wings were back on home ice this week as they played the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday, October 10. The team will then play their first road game of the season on Sunday, October 14 in Regina against the Capitals. Game time will be 2:15pm at the Cooperators rink six.
