It has not been the start to the season La Ronge Ice Wolves goaltender Merek Pipes wanted.
The 20-year-old from Cobble Hill, B.C. has not played a game due to an undisclosed injury, but there’s a possibility he will finally get back between the pipes this weekend.
“We’re hoping that Merek will be ready here for the weekend, at least to get into one game,” said Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Evan Vossen. “Kind of just not pushing him too fast, too hard here, but the last few weeks, he’s progressed real well.”
The Ice Wolves are still carrying three goalies on their roster. Saskatoon’s Jordan Frey is back for his second season with La Ronge, while Chad Duran of Colorado is the other netminder currently in the fold.
The Ice Wolves are carrying 14 forwards and 10 defencemen right now.
Meanwhile, the Ice Wolves are back in action on Friday when they host the Melfort Mustangs for the first time this season. Friday’s game is slated to get underway at 7:30 p.m.
La Ronge is 0-4 on the campaign. They are coming off an 8-0 setback on Monday in Warman to the Weyburn Red Wings.
“I probably sound like a broken record, but when we keep the game simple and can execute that way, we have a lot of success,” said Vossen. “Monday night was a bit of an outlier for us after the start to the season that we’ve had. I think it was a bit of an eye-opening for everybody. I expect the guys to be hungry and ready to go come Friday night.”
Following Friday’s matchup, the Ice Wolves will then get set for a date with the Melville Millionaires on Sunday afternoon at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
(PHOTO: Merek Pipes. Photo courtesy of SJHL.)