WEYBURN – The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings started off 2023 on a winning note, as they posted back-to-back victories over their Highway 39 rivals, the Estevan Bruins, in the Tom Huston Classic.
They began on Friday night, winning 4-3 in overtime in Estevan, then trouncing the Bruins 6-1 at home on Saturday evening.
In Friday’s game, after a scoreless first period, the Bruins went up 2-0 in the second period before Weyburn’s Ty Mason responded, assisted by Ian Maier and Matthew Reidy.
In the third period, Estevan scored an unassisted goal, then the Red Wings answered with two goals to tie the game, with Jackson Hassman scoring from Lucas Jeffreys and Mason, then Jakob Kalin scored from Blake Norris and Matteo Turrin.
The overtime winner came from Turrin, assisted by Jordan Edwards and Kalin. Edwards was named the Wings best player.
Dazza Mitchell was in net until he was pulled in the third period for the extra attacker, and he was in for the overtime period. He saved 27 of 30 shots altogether.
On Saturday evening, the game was started with a ceremonial puck drop by Roger Huston, Tom Huston’s son, at centre ice.
This time, the Red Wings went on the scoreboard first, notching three goals in the first period. Ryley Morgan got Weyburn on the board 2:31 into the game, assisted by Mason and Nolan Henderson.
Maier scored three minutes later on assists by Morgan and Norris, then Mason scored on the powerplay, assisted by Hassman and Norris.
Weyburn added two more in the second period, by Elijah Anderson from Blake Betson and Jeffreys, then Jeffreys scored, assisted by Reidy.
The final goal was an empty netter by Mason, on a pass from Jeffreys, to cinch the final score at 6-1.
Mitchell was again between the pipes for the Red Wings, saving 32 of 33 shots on the game.
The plaque for winning the Tom Huston Classic for 2023 was presented to captain Matthew Reidy at the end of the game.
The Red Wings will play Notre Dame on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, then will host Battleford on Friday, Jan. 13 at Crescent Point Place, before heading up to Yorkton for a road game on Jan. 14 against the Terriers.
