After a tough 6-5 shootout loss Wednesday at home versus Estevan, the La Ronge Ice Wolves responded Friday when they clipped the Weyburn Red Wings 4-2 at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
“The good thing is we found a way to win,” said Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Kevin Kaminski. “We’ve got to start priding the little things, attention to detail. We’re not sacrificing the body like we should — blocking shots, taking hits to make the plays.”
The Ice Wolves opened the scoring 4:23 into the first period on the power play when James Philpott sent a shot on net from the left point that banked off Holden Knights and past Joseph Young, who made 30 saves in the loss.
La Ronge took a 2-0 advantage 8:42 into the second when Ty Budai picked the pocket of Joseph Young shorthanded behind the net and then tucked home his fourth of the season into the yawning cage. With just just six seconds left in the second, Daytona Houle tallied his fifth of the season on the man advantage, which cut La Ronge’s lead to one.
Weyburn would tie the game at two 1:02 into the third period when Dace Prymak walked down the right side and beat Xavier Cannon, who made 24 saves for his sixth win of the campaign. The Ice Wolves took a 3-2 lead 3:06 into the period on the power play when James Philpott sent a wicked one-timer past Joseph Young for his ninth of the season. Ben Manson added his fifth of the season 17:25 into the third on the power play, which gave La Ronge some insurance. Weyburn would pull their goaltender late, but the Ice Wolves hung on for the win.
“We’re happy we pulled out the two points, but we know we can definitely improve on the win and clean up some things, so we can get better as a team,” said La Ronge forward Holden Knights.
With the win, the Ice Wolves improved to 30-19-6 on the season, which still has them occupying fourth place in the SJHL standings.
La Ronge has now recorded points in four straight games and they will look for their second straight win on Sunday at home when the Ice Wolves meet the Notre Dame Hounds. Sunday’s game from the Mel Hegland Uniplex will get underway at 5 p.m.
Following Sunday’s game, the Ice Wolves will host the Flin Flon Bombers next Friday before finishing the regular season next Saturday on the road in Flin Flon.
(PHOTO: Xavier Cannon made his fourth straight start Friday. Photo courtesy of Brandon White.)