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Playing in Flin Flon on Friday and Saturday, the Weyburn Red Wings split their games against the Bombers. They lost 4-2 on Friday, and then won 4-0 on Saturday.
"I thought we played pretty well both Friday and Saturday," explained Jesse Ross. "Our second night was better with the 4-0 win, but we can't be disappointed with our effort during the first night. The team is definitely clicking together."
It could be a benefit to the Red Wings to get the long road games out of the way during the first month of their season. "The teams are still in a learning phase, rather than going up and having them familiar with our style of play," said Ross.
In his opinion, "we have been bouncing around a little bit, but I think we are now finding those lines that work well for us."
During Friday night's game, Flin Flon started with a two-goal lead in the first period, taking these goals at 4:22 and 7:35. The Red Wings got on the scoreboard at 6:58 in the second period, when Drew George scored off assists from Brock Appleyard and Coltyn Sanderson.
Early in the third period, the Red Wings tied the game when Dylan Coupal scored off assists from Appleyard and George. The Bombers took advantage of a Wings penalty at 7:32 to take back their lead, and then in the last minute of the game the Wings took a chance to tie the game by pulling their goaltender. The Bombers scored into the empty net for the win.
In net for the Wings was Ryley Hengen and Lucas Felbel.
"We were down 2-0 pretty early in that first game, but we battled back and got it tied up 2-2," said Tanner McCall. "Then we gave up a short-handed goal in the third period, and then they took an empty netter to win."
"It was a good weekend for us, even though we lost the first night," said rookie Kevin Morrison. "We were able to take some positive things from that game."
The Wings rallied back for the win on Saturday night. They started strong in the first period by scoring three goals. The first goal was taken by Keegan Bruce with assists from Dmitry Adams and Zane Weal at 1:14; the second by Sanderson, with assists from Appleyard and George at 9:47; and the third was a power play goal from Appleyard, with the assists from Ryan Whitell and Sanderson at 14:29.
Their fourth goal of the net was scored the second period by George with the assist from Appleyard at 5:16. Preventing the Bombers from scoring during the game was Lucas Felbel.
"We came out hard early for the second night, and got up on them and never took the pedal off the floor," said McCall. "Our penalty kill was phenomenal against Flin Flon, as we were short-handed for 10 penalties."
"We had a lot of hard hits that penetrated the Flin Flon defence, and were strong in our offensive zone for the second night," said Morrison.
On Tuesday night, the Red Wings were in Notre Dame, and details from this game were unavailable by publication deadlines. This weekend, the Wings continue their road games, with a game in Battleford on Friday, Oct. 1, one in Humboldt on Saturday, Oct. 2, and the third in Kindersley on Sunday, Oct. 3.
"It is an important trip, because it is a possible six points," said McCall. "We haven't seen any of these teams yet, so we do not know what to expect in regard to the calibre of the teams."
