The final week of games for 2023 were completed in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) and it is once again the Wilkie Outlaws leading the way with a perfect 10-0 record, followed by the Biggar Nationals in 2nd with a 6-4-1 record. The Kindersley Sr Klippers (6-4) and the Hafford Hawks (6-5) hold down 3rd place. The Macklin Mohawks are in 5th place with a 4-5-1 record, followed by the Edam 3 Stars (3-5-1) and the Unity Miners (1-9-1) as of December 24th.
In the lone Saturday night game, the Wilkie Outlaws hosted the Edam 3 stars and it was the Outlaws coming away with the 6-2 win.
Ryan Keller got the home crowd roaring with an early 1-0 goal, but Joel Blaquiere and Trayton Troesch scored a minute apart to quiet most of the crowd. Edam lead 2-1 after one period. In the second period, it took some time but Ryne Keller scored his 6th of the year to tie the game up at 2. Keenan Scott then scored late in the period to give the Outlaws the 3-2 lead heading into the locker room after two periods. In the final frame, the short handed 3 Stars finally powered out, with the Outlaws taking over the game. Troy Gerein and Brett Boehm's goals have them a 5-2 lead. Late in the third, with the goalie pulled, Rick attempted to score but was hooked on the play. The goal was awarded and rounded out the scoring for the game.
Taryn Kotchorek takes the loss stopping 44 of 50 shots, while Curtis Sander earned the win stopping 24 of 26 shots,
On Friday night, the Unity Miners welcomed the Macklin Mohawks and it was the Unity Miners, on Miners Wing Night no less, finally finding the win column with a 5-4 'W'.
The party didn't start as planned though as Carson Pickett and Jetlen Houcher scored to give the visitors a 2-0 lead after one period. In the 2nd period however, the red light lit up many times as Davis Chorney and Ryan Jackson scored to tie the game up at 2. Tyler Baier gave the Mohawks the 3-2 lead in the later stages of the period, but youngsters Ethan Scherr and Colby Ralston scored just 40 seconds a part to give Unity the important 4-3 lead after 40 minutes. The third period was rather quiet until Chorney's second of the game on the power play extended the lead to 5-3. With the goaltender pulled, Tye Scherger was able to score with 28 seconds left to cut the lead but it was as close as they got.
Owen Bosch took the L, stopping 14 of 19 shots, while Ryan Rewerts received the well deserved win, stopping 34 of 38 shots.
Also on Friday night, the Kindersley Sr Klippers hosted the Wilkie Outlaws at the Co-op Arena at the West Central Events Centre. It was the visitors walking away with the 7-5 victory.
It was all scoring all the time as Brock Harrison opened the shooting gallery just a minute in. Brandon Miller responded to tie it up 4 minutes later, and Jessey Pocock scoring just 17 seconds later gave the Klippers the 2-1 lead after one period. Former Winkler Flyer Ryne Keller scored 5 minutes in the second period to tie the game up at 2, with Spengler Cup alumni Ryan Keller potting his first of the year 4 minutes after that to retrieve the lead at 3-2. Kyle Donaldson once again tied the game up, this time at 3, but Brett Boehm fired his 5th of the year to give the Outlaws the 4-3 lead after 2 periods.
Spengler Cup Keller would score his second, and hattrick goals in the first 4 minutes of the third, both on the power play, extending the lead to 6-3, but Donaldson once again cut the lead to 6-4. Boehm would extend the lead back up to 3, with Byron Ismond rounding out the scoring on the power play.
Jared Herle stopped 18 of 23 shots for the win, while Logan Drackett stopped 30 of 37 shots in the loss.
In the rare Thursday night game, the Edam 3 Stars hosted the Hafford Hawks at the Turtleford Arena, with the Stars winning the contest 4-1.
Kendall Fransoo scored to give his team the 1-0 lead, and Joel Blaquiere converted a penalty shot oppourtunity to extend that lead to 2-0. In the 2nd period, Josh LaClare would score both goals, one just 3 minutes into the period and the other a little past the midway point. Quinton Cubbon's third of the year would break up the shut out bid just past the 6 minute mark, which rounded out the scoring.
A huge congratulations to the Unity Miners for securing their first victory in what feels like 100 years. In reality, it had been 26 games since they found themselves on the happy side of the scoreboard and we are all ecstatic to see it happen!
The SWHL returns on January 5th, 2024 with Kindersley hosting Macklin, Unity hosting Wilkie and Edam Hosting Biggar. On Saturday the 6th, Kindersley visits Unity, Biggar visits Hafford and Macklin visits Edam. One Sunday afternoon game as Hafford hosts Wilkie.
