The Yorkton RawTec Maulers of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA hockey league had two games on home ice this past weekend against the Moose Jaw Generals.
The two teams had faced off just a week prior, when the RawTec Maulers defeated the Generals, who happen to hold the top spot in the league standings. The score to that game was 5-3.
This weekend, the Generals came back hard and were able to beat the Maulers in both games.
On Friday night, it was a tough loss for the Maulers when the game ended with a score of 8-0.
RawTec Maulers head coach Graham Garrett said he thought the Generals looked flawless in that game.
“We played a really tough, hard game against them last Saturday and we were able to beat them. Their coaching staff took that personal and prepared them,” he said. “We weren’t prepared for that. That’s on us as coaches.”
Although Sunday’s game was another loss, the RawTec Maulers looked much more prepared, and the scoreboard at the end of the game would support that. The final score was 3-1.
The first period of play finished without a goal for either team. In the second, Yorkton came out strong and outshot Moose Jaw.
The Generals were able to get the first goal of the game on a power play, but it was quickly returned by a Maulers goal. Kaedan Korczak scored for Yorkton, with the assist coming from Aiden Bulych.
The period continued as a hard fight between both teams, and in the last 2:30 of play, the Generals got another goal.
The third and final goal from the Generals was scored after the Maulers pulled goalie Nolan Maier in the last two minutes of play in the third.
Garrett said he felt as though the team was more prepared for Sunday’s game than they were on Saturday.
“In the end, it comes to a bounce or a big play,” he said. “They got that goal on a power play. We had our opportunities, but couldn’t get one.”
These games were the first time the RawTec Maulers played on their home ice at the Farrell Agencies Arena in five weeks. Garrett said he’s happy to be back to the familiarity of the rink after a long, tough away-game streak.
The next action for the RawTec Maulers is on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the Farrell Agencies at 8:00 p.m. when they face the Regina Pat Canadians. They’ll then play another two home games over the weekend against the Saskatoon Blazers.
