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Weyburn Review, Weyburn, Saskatchewan -- March 9, 2022
sports
Weyburn Red Wings presents team awards, Mullen big winner
By Greg Nikkel The Weyburn Legion Hall was packed for the Weyburn Red Wings’ Comedy Night and Awards Banquet, held Sunday evening, and Kirk Mullen was the biggest winner of hardware from the team awards. Mullen was presented with the Most Valuable Player Award, sponsored by Weyburn Credit Union; along with the High Scorer Award, sponsored by Prairie Sky Coop; the Most Valuable Forward award, sponsored by Barber Motors, and Rookie of the Year, sponsored by Larry’s Sewer Service. Just before the awards were presented, head coach Cody Mapes commented on the players in his charge this year. “I challenged you guys time and time again, in subtle ways and not-so-subtle ways. I was impressed with the leadership you came up with in all situations. The leadership in this group is very strong,” he said. Of the influence the squad has had with younger hockey players, he said, “The impact you have is understated. You don’t know the impact of how that will stay with them.” Mapes pointed out the average age of the team right now is 18 years two months, which is very young in the SJHL. “For you guys to have leadership qualities, good for you,” he said, adding that being on a junior A hockey team “is a tough mental grind” as they are away from friends and family, and in some cases giving up going to school or taking a job for two or three years while they play hockey. “You get to live out a lot of dreams, and a lot of people don’t get to do that. … It’ll be the best time of your life,” he said. Mapes said going forward into next season will look a lot different, and promised he and the coaching staff want to give the players a winning year next year. The Best Defensive Forward award, sponsored by Weimer’s Hometown, was presented by Brent Stephanson to Matthew Reidy. The Outstanding Community Service Award, sponsored by NSWB, was presented by Mike Weger to Ethan Whillans.
Weyburn Red Wings present team awards
Review Photo 0594 – Greg Nikkel The winners of team awards for the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings gathered onstage at the Weyburn Legion Hall on Sunday night after their presentation. From left are Ethan Whillans, Outstanding Community Service Award; Matthew Reidy, Best Defensive Forward and the Graham Christie Memorial Award for the Most Inspirational Player; Nolan Henderson, Most Valuable Defenceman; Mi-Kwan Tallman, Outstanding Ability and Gentlemanly Conduct award; Sebastian Hamming, Marcel Labelle Memorial award for dedication and ability; Kirk Mullen, MVP, High Scorer Award, Most Valuable Forward and Rookie of the Year; Mitch Wilkie, Unsung Hero Award; Ty Mason, Most Improved Player and Most Popular Player (voted by fans); and Luke Schaeffer, most popular player as voted by the team. The Most Improved Player Award, sponsored by York Jewellers, was presented by Anne Phair to Ty Mason. He also won the Most Popular Player award, as voted by the fans. This award is sponsored by Dee Jay’s/KFC, and was presented by Tascha Jasper. The Most Valuable Defenseman award, sponsored by Weyburn Security, was presented by team president Jamie Blunden to Nolan Henderson. The Marcel Labelle Memorial award, for dedication to the team and good sportsmanship, was presented by Pete Tatarliov to Sebastian Hamming. The award for Outstanding Ability and Gentlemanly Conduct, sponsored by Razorback Oilfield Services, was presented by Ray Jarvis to Mi-Kwan Tallman. The Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by GeoVerra, was presented by Perry Pyett to Mitch Wilkie. The award for the Most Popular Player as voted by the team, sponsored by Kingston Midstream, was presented by Darren Istace to Luke Schaeffer. The Graham Christie Memorial Award for the Most Inspirational Red Wing, sponsored by the Weyburn Police Association, was presented by Riley Ross to Matthew Reidy.
Gold Wings face up against Rebels in quarterfinals The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Gold Wings have started their best-offive quarterfinals against the Regina Rebels, for the first round of playoffs in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League. Game one was held on Saturday night, with Regina winning 8-2 over the Gold Wings. The Rebels had a strong start to the game, scoring four unanswered goals in the first period. At the start of the second period, the Rebels scored a short-handed goal to extend their lead. Paisley Arntsen scored the first goal for Weyburn, with 6:01 remaining on the clock, with assists from Hadley Revenko and Julianne Girardin. The Rebels scored their sixth goal of the game with 2:52 remaining in the period. The Rebels scored two goals in the third period, to bring their lead to eight goals. Rilynn Dobson scored an unassisted goal for Wey-
burn with 5:37 remaining in the period. Lexi Peace was in net for the Gold Wings, and stopped 33 of the 41 shots. Game two was Monday night, and the Gold Wings were shut out 6-0 by Regina. The Rebels scored three goals in the first period, and three goals in the second period. Peace was in net for Weyburn, stopping 54 out of 60 shots. In other Gold Wing news, forward Jayden Baker received a commitment from the Jamestown University to continue her hockey career. This is the fourth year that Baker has played with the Gold Wings. During the 2021-22 season, she played 30 games, and had two goals and two assists. Game three of the quarterfinals will be held in Regina on Thursday, March 10. Game four, if necessary, is scheduled for Weyburn on Tuesday, March 15. Game five, if necessary, is scheduled to be played in Regina on Wednesday, March 16.
Trying to grab the rebound
Review Photo 0360 – Greg Nikkel
Weyburn Comp Eagles player Natalie Morrissette, No. 21, tried to grab the rebound from a basket attempt, as teammate Assiya Benabdallah (at right) watched the play, ready to grab the ball. This was a district playoff game between the Eagles junior girls and Rocanville on Thursday, and Rocanville edged out Weyburn 28-22.
Yellow Grass in must-win situation in Big Six playoffs The Yellow Grass Wheat Kings are down two games to none in the semi-final series for the Big Six Hockey League versus the Carnduff Red Devils. The series opened with a Carnduff win in their rink on Feb. 28, by the score of 6-4, and then on March 2 in Yellow Grass, the Red Devils won 4-3. In the first game, Carnduff led 3-0 after the first period. Scoring by
Yellow Grass started in the second period from Zak Hicks, with assists by Tucker Neuberger and Braden Mellon, and Mellon scored with assists by Jesse Watson and Dylan Frey. In the third period, Neuberger scored with assists by Dylan Frey and Hicks, and Mike Onstad scored with assists by Hicks and Burke Johnstone. In the game in Yellow Grass, Carnduff opened with the first goal in the
first period. For Yellow Grass, Neuberger scored with assists by Mellon and Hicks, and Dylan Frey scored, assisted by Neuberger and Mellon, both in the second period. Reid Paterson scored in the third period, with assists by Johnstone and Mellon. Yellow Grass will need to win Game 3 to stay alive, and it will be held on Thursday, March 10 in Carnduff at 8 p.m.
Getting after the ball
If Game 4 is required, it will be held on Saturday, March 12 in Yellow Grass, and if needed, Game 5 will be on Monday, March 14 in Carnduff. Yellow Grass has three players in the top 10 scorers list in the playoffs, with Mellon in third with three goals and five assists. Zach Douglas is sixth with three goals and four assists, and Onstad is 10th with two goals and five assists.
Review Photo 0415 – Greg Nikkel
Weyburn U9 player Ben Hillstead ran for the ball along with players from Yorkton United FC, in an exhibition game played on Saturday afternoon on Mainil Field at Weyburn’s Credit Union Spark Centre.