The Yorkton RawTec Maulers of the Saskatchewan AAA Midget Hockey Club are sitting on a 4-4 record after this past weekend of play.
The Maulers hosted two games against the Beardy鈥檚 Blackhawks at the Farrell Agencies Arena for their annual Paint the Rink Pink weekend fundraiser. The teams split the wins in two very close, hard-fought games.
In game one on Saturday night, three periods ended and the score was 4-4. The game went into an overtime period, in which no goals were scored. The game was forced to a shootout.
After several rounds, the Blackhawks were able to get the edge and win the game. The final score was 6-5. Maulers goals in the regulation time play were scored by Derrick Budz, Ryder Pierson, Zach McIntyre and Austin Shumanski.
Graham Garrett, the head coach of the Maulers, said he was happy with his team鈥檚 performance on Saturday.
鈥淚 think it was really nice to have a game that was that exciting,鈥� Garrett said. 鈥淯nfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of the shootout but it was a well played game I thought, from both teams.鈥�
On Sunday, the Maulers looked for redemption as the two teams faced off again. The Blackhawks scored in the first period, and the Maulers fought to get it back.
In the second period, they did. Kaleb Bulych and Keenan Sperling each scored for the Maulers. But the Blackhawks got another, tying the game at 2-2 going into the third.
Trey Bear pulled through for the Maulers in the last few minutes of play, putting them on top where they鈥檇 remain to win the game. The final score was 3-2 for the Maulers, with the shot clock reading 43-25 for the Blackhawks.
After Sunday鈥檚 game, Garrett said 鈥淚 thought today we weren鈥檛 as prepared. We didn鈥檛 start as well. But Jordan Schmuland (goalie) gave us the opportunity to win in the third period.鈥�
鈥淎fter we scored the late goal today, I thought our guys did a great job in paying the price, they were blocking shots and making sure the puck got out to secure the win.鈥�
It was a big game for last year鈥檚 MVP Jordan Schmuland, blocking 41 shots.
Garrett said so far this season, Schmuland has had a couple of bad breaks in a couple of games, but he鈥檚 still their go-to guy.
鈥淗e鈥檚 our veteran who we鈥檙e going to rely on heavily as the year goes on. I thought it was a great win for him, it was his first of the year and I think that鈥檚 going to help with his confidence and get him back to where he was last year,鈥� said Garrett.
The Maulers are spending some time on the road, but will be back in Yorkton for games on Nov. 19 and 20 against the Moosejaw Generals.
