The Yorkton Rawtec Maulers can’t seem to catch a break.
The Maulers lost three home games last week, solidifying their position at the rock-bottom of the SMAAHL standings with a dismal record of 1-14. The top team, the Saskatoon Blazers, has a record of 11-2.
Maulers coach Kevin Rawlick isn’t thrilled with the team’s record this season. He wants to push his guys to learn from their mistakes and apply those lessons to the ice.
“We’ve got to play better,” he said. “We need to be more competitive.
“We’re not where we want to be.”
Hard times
The Maulers’ tough week started with a glimmer of hope. They played the Notre Dame Argos at the Farrell Agencies Arena on Oct. 24. The Argos put two points on the board in the first period, with Massen Ziola from the Maulers snagging one point for his team.
The Argos scored once more in the second and twice in the third. The Maulers roared back in the third, scoring two goals thanks to Austin Dycer. The game ended with a 5-3 victory for the Argos.
Despite the loss, Rawlick thought the Maulers played a solid game.
“I thought the boys played pretty well,” he said. “Close to a win.”
The Maulers didn’t come close to a win in their next two games. They played the Notre Dame Hounds on Oct. 26. The Hounds skated circles around the Maulers, scoring a dizzying 10 goals over three periods. Troy Bryska seized the sole Maulers goal in the third period, ending the game with a dominant 10-1 win for the Hounds.
The Maulers couldn’t even muster one goal against the Prince Albert Mintos last Sunday. They lost 8-0, letting in five goals in the second period alone.
“That [second period] was the most disappointed I’ve been [in the team] all season,” Rawlick said.
Trying to improve
October was a hard month for the Maulers. Rawlick wants to focus on building a stronger defensive game. He commends his players for their willingness to improve.
“[The boys] are doing a good job of sticking together,” he said. “[They] want to get better.”
Up next
The Maulers will play the Beardys Blackhawks in an away game on Nov. 3. They’ll be back in Yorkton on Nov. 17 when they play the Saskatoon Contacts.
