It was another quieter weekend in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL). The Wilkie Outlaws were idle this weekend and continue to lead the league at 7-0. The Kindersley Sr Klippers sit in 2nd with a 5-2 record, followed by the Biggar Nationals at 4-4-1. The resurging Macklin Mohawks hold down 4th spot with a 4-3 record, tied with the Hafford Hawks in the win category with a 4-4 record. The Edam 3 Stars (2-3-1) and the Unity Miners (0-7-1) round out the standings as of Dec. 10th.
On Saturday night, the Biggar Nationals welcomed the Macklin Mohawks into the Jubliee Stadium and it took overtime for the visitors to become triumphant 3-2.
Macklin came out flying in the first, and it finally paid off as Hunter Steinhubel and Carson Pickett scored in a 20 second span to give the Mohawks a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Nats started pushing back in the second, but couldn't beat goaltender Owen Bosch as the Mohawks held their 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
In the late stages of the third, the gooseegg was finally broken as Dylan Haynes squeaked one in, and 2:30 later, Chris Henry also found twine to bring the Jube to life and tie the game at 2. Overtime was an all out assualt on each end of the ice, but it was Colton Waltz firing a rocket past Nats tender Brett Matlock to steal back the second point for the Mohawks
Bosch saved 35 of 37 shots in the overtime win while Matlock stopped 36 of 39 shots in the overtime loss.
Also on Saturday, the Unity Miners headed south to the West Central Events Centre to play the Kindersley Sr Klippers and the home town team dominated in a 5-0 win.
Jace Reichert and Jonny Calkins scored in the first to give the Klippers a 2-0 lead after 1 period. A bit of a chippy second period was finished off with a fight between the Miners' Davis Chorney and Klippers' Byron Ismond. In the final frame, it was Kyle Donaldson, Troy Boisjoli and Calkins who scored and rounded out the scoring.
Ryan Rewerts took the loss stopping 38 of 43 shots. Logan Drackett was a perfect 28/28 in the win.
On Friday night, the Biggar Nationals took the trek to the Credit Union Legacy Centre for a tilt with the Macklin Mohawks and it was another close game as the Mohawks came out on top 4-2.
Newcomer Jetlen Houcher scored twice in the first to give his Mohawks a 2-0 after one period. Keaton Haynes scored his third of the year shorthanded to cut the deficit to 2-1 after 40 minutes. Jared Hillis restored the 2 goal lead 7 minutes into the third, but Johnathon Redlick cut it back to 3-2, ensuring another fantastic ending. With the goalie pulled, Colton Waltz put it away into the empty cage to finish out the scoring.
Brett Matlock took the loss stopping 44 of 47 shots, while Trevor Martin saved 28 of 30 shots for the win
Also on Friday night, the Edam 3 Stars took on the Hafford Hawks in a neutral site game at the Saulteaux First Nation Arena. This is due to both Hafford and Edam being unable to make ice thanks to the extremely mild weather. The fans in attendance were treated to a very close 1-0 win for the Hawks.
It took all the way into the third period to find the only goal, as Kobe Kindrachuk scored to lift his team to the win.
Tayrn Kotchorek took the tough loss stopping 28 of 29 shots, while winner Joel Gryzbowski was a perfect 29/29
We've mentioned this stat earlier in the year, but it has become that much more absurd. The Edam 3 Stars are a terrible 1 of 24 (4.17%) on the Power Play, dead last by a mile. However, they are a ridiculous 95.45% on the Penalty Kill, only allowing 1 PPG while being short handed 21 times. They are first in this category by a mile as well, as of Dec 10th
Six games are on the docket for the weekend of Dec 15th-17th. The Biggar Nationals host the Unity Miners and the Hafford Hawks play the Kindersley Sr Klippers at the Don Ross Arena in North Battleford on Friday. On Saturday, The Wilkie Outlaws head west to play the Macklin Mohawks, the Edam 3 Stars play the Klippers at the Turtleford Arena, and the Miners and Hawks play at the Don Ross. The Sunday evening game has the Mohawks hosting the Nationals.
