The Gold Wings returned back to the ice the week of January 4th refreshed from Christmas break and ready for action. Currently our team is sitting in third place in the league.
Our first game of 2016 was in Notre Dame where we battled hard but couldn’t seem to buy a goal. After a five-minute overtime and several rounds in the shootout we came out on top with Chantal Burke taking the win in net. This past weekend we headed off to Saskatoon to play our final regular season games against the Saskatoon Stars. The first night was a hard fought game but at the end of 60 minutes of play we lost 2-1. However we redeemed ourselves in the second game with a 3-1 win against the Stars. We came together as a team and worked hard. It was a very fast paced game but we managed to stay on our game and it paid off. We had many fans travel to our games this weekend and when we scored it was great to hear the crowd erupt in cheers!
This weekend we are in Winnipeg to compete in the 2016 Shaftersbury Titans tournament. Last year this was an extremely competitive tournament and was very challenging — the competition is high quality hockey. Today, January 15, we will be taking on Shattuck St. Mary’s Sabres U19 at 8:15 a.m. and then the Peace Country Storm at 2:45 p.m.
On Saturday, January 16 at 9:45 a.m. we will battle the Westman Wildcats. Feel free to follow the tournament action since all tournament scores and stats will be kept at the following site: www.shaftesburytitansprep.ca/page/show/2171513-winter-classic-2016- or follow us on Twitter at @futureshockey. Heading into tournament action this weekend, our team has recuperated from most of our injuries from before Christmas break. We are happy to have Janissa Cooley back in the line up and hoping for the return of Shelby Kirpatrick and Shakara Chutskoff in the coming weeks.
Our hard working Esso Cup Committee continues to work hard at promoting our event in the community and selling ticket packages. Ticket packages are $60 which includes access to 19 games during the week of April 17-23. These packages are available by calling 1-306-713-9585 so be sure to get your package today! The committee has also compiled a list of volunteers who have graciously offered their time and talents to help out during that week and they will be contacted in the near future to begin making a schedule. If you are interested in volunteering you can speak to any Esso Cup committee member or let the Gold Wings staff know and your name will be forwarded.
January is already flying by and we will be playing hockey every weekend so it will go by fast. The Gold Wings encourage everyone to come out and check out the Weyburn Minor Hockey “Hockey Day in Sask.” this weekend at our local rinks — you will get to watch some great hockey and support our local players. Our next home game will be Sunday, January 24 at 2 p.m. when we take on Melville .
Our next two home games will be Saturday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, January 31 at 2 p.m. when Swift Current will be in town. The first half of the season has been successful and I’m excited to start the last half of the year with the team and staff we have! Bring on 2016.
