By Sabrina Kraft
The Weyburn Red Wings captured a perfect record to start off their 2016-2017 hockey season, after winning a home-and-home series against the Yorkton Terriers.
The Red Wings were in Yorkton for their first game of the new season on Friday night, coming home with a 2-1 win over the Terriers. Then the Red Wings won 4-1 on Saturday night for their second straight win.
For new Red Wings players Nathan Gelsinger and Jake MacLennan, the home-and-home series was a great way to start their regular season. Gelsinger is a forward, while MacLennan is a goaltender. “It feels pretty good to start the season with two wins and separate ourselves from other teams in the division,” said Gelsinger.
“The wins were a good confidence booster for the whole team, especially since we won on the road and then at home,” said MacLennan. “It was a big four points for us and it was good to get those points this early.”
In both games, Yorkton scored first during the first period, but it was also the only goal that was allowed during the game. During the Friday night game, the Red Wings tied up the game in the third period, then notched an overtime goal for the away win. During the Saturday night game, the Red Wings scored three goals in the second period and one goal in the third period.
Both teams were fighting for scoring opportunities during the home-and-home series. During the Friday game, Yorkton had 34 shots on net, while Weyburn had 45 shots on net. During the Saturday game, Yorkton had 30 shots on net, while Weyburn had 39 shots on net.
“There was definitely some nerves hitting the ice, especially for myself since I haven’t played in the league before,” said Gelsinger.
As for MacLennan, the first-year goaltender didn’t get any time in the net during the games, but he still felt intensity of the games from the bench. “Just being out there was pretty awesome.”
“We are a pretty tight group already and we are comfortable around each other,” said Gelsinger. “Wes (Rudy) is a great coach and he is good with the players.”
“The wins were a really big team effort, and we are all coming together and bonding quickly,” said MacLennan. “It is a real honour to be playing as a goaltender with Wes as our coach.”
Not only do Red Wings players get a chance to expand their junior hockey experience while in Weyburn, they also get to experience the community. Most of the Red Wings who are playing hockey during the 2016-2017 regular season get billeted during their time in the city.
“Last week, I just got into my billet residence, and it is a great experience so far,” said Gelsinger.
“My billet is new to hosting a hockey player in their home, but have hosted baseball players from the Beavers in the past,” said MacLennan. “So it is a new experience for both of us. It is my first time living away from home and their first time billeting a hockey player.”
As the Red Wings head into the rest of their regular season, the most important thing for players is to take things “game by game,” said Gelsinger. “You just have to focus on your task for the next game, and trying to come out strong as a team.”
“Wes has done a really great job of making sure we all focus on what our role is with the team,” said MacLennan. “We have to think about our individual roles and how to use those roles to succeed as a group.”
The Red Wings will be in Notre Dame tonight, Sept. 21, for a game against the Hounds. The puck drops in Notre Dame at 8 p.m.
Then the Melfort Millionaires will be at Crescent Point Place for a home game on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. There is another home game against the Flin Flon Bombers on Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m.
