The Yorkton Harvest are enjoying an extended homestand at the Farrell Agencies Arena which saw them secure a comeback tie, and a win in Saskatchewan AAA Midget Hockey League action last week.
Harvest coach Graham Garrett said the team hosted Battlefords for games Saturday and Sunday at Farrell Agencies Arena, and Saturday the team showed the never quit attitude he said he has made a focus early this season.
"We didn't play our strongest game," he said, adding special teams play bailed the team out.
The Harvest scored two powerplay markers Saturday, then added two short-handed goals "in the last couple of minutes to tie the score 4-4," said Garrett.
As coach the last minute effort was promising.
"One of the team goals we have is a never quite attitude, and that was one way of showing it," he said.
Last Wednesday the Harvest showed the same focus on the road being down 5-1 at one point. "They came back to tie," said Garrett, adding, "it's a good sign the guys never feel out of it and that they can come back."
The momentum gained in the late rally Saturday carried forward to action Sunday against the same North Stars team.
"We actually played a very strong game, especially the last 40-minutes, when we kind of took over with the forecheck," said Garrett, adding the Harvest emerged with a 6-3 win.
The Harvest record now sits at 2-1-1-1, and six points, and Garrett said that is a solid start to the year.
"With all the new players I'm very satisfied with the way guys have played," said the Harvest coach.Garrett said the team started the season on the road for three games and managed to go .500 earning three points, and have since earned three of a possible four at home.
"We're getting better every game," said Garrett, who added injuries and other factors have meant the team has yet to ice the 20-man roster it anticipates it will have. " We haven't been able to have all 20 of our players on the ice for a practice or a game yet. Once we get everybody together we'll improve by leaps and bounds."
The Harvest stay at the Farrell Agencies this week, hosting the Saskatoon Contacts Thursday at 8 p.m., then the Saskatoon Blazer at 7:30 Saturday, and 2:30 Sunday.4
