Titans seek redemption after tough week

By Joshua Jackson Neepawa Banner & Press

The Neepawa Titans are hoping to shake off a rough week in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League after sustaining a pair of losses in back-to-back nights.

The Neepawa Titans played host to the Niverville Nighthawks on Oct. 10. The bounces were not in the Titans’ favour as Niverville would capitalize just 38 seconds into the game and pummel the Titans 7-1. The Titans’ lone goal came from Ty Kirk, assisted by Keenan Skrupa in the second period. Matthew Michta would stand in net for the Titans, stopping 29 of 36 shots. Although the score was not in favour of the Titans, one thing that stood out was the team’s penalty kill, as Niverville went only two for five on the power play.

The Titans then hit the road to Virden on Saturday, Oct. 11, for a tilt with the Virden Oil Capitals. The Neepawa Titans would find themselves down 3-0 with 8 minutes remaining in the first period of play. Newly signed Tyler Wamboldt would add his first as a Titan, as the Oil Capitals held a 3-1 lead after the first. The Titans would attempt a comeback with a goal from Keenan Skrupa, assisted by Owen Durigan and Cooper Kasprick, and a third-period goal courtesy of Sebastian Hetterich, also getting his first MJHL Goal, assisted by Talen Wallis. Two goalies would take the net for the Titans, as Alex Myers played the first 20 minutes, allowing three goals on 13 shots. Zach Burleigh would take the reins for the rest of the game, saving 21 of 24 shots.

The Titans sit fourth in the MGEU West Division with a 3-6 record.

The Neepawa Titans have the week off to regroup before their road stretch continues. Neepawa will look for vengeance against the Niverville Nighthawks on Oct. 19, before taking on the Winkler Flyers on Oct. 21. The Titans’ next home game isn’t until Oct. 29, when the Titans take on the Steinbach Pistons at the Yellowhead Centre.