Weyburn Red Wings (2-0-0) at Notre Dame Hounds (0-2-0)

8:00 p.m., Duncan McNeill Arena, Wilcox, SK

Radio: K106

 

It will be the renewal of a rivalry Wednesday night, when the Weyburn Red Wings travel up Highway 39 to Wilcox to face the Notre Dame Hounds. While the Hounds enjoy a different type of home ice advantage with the larger, international sized ice surface, the Red Wings are coming in hot, having picked up two wins in their first two games.

For the Hounds, they will be looking to some of their veteran forwards to help lead the rush in terms of getting pucks in the net. They managed to score five goals in their two games against the Humboldt Broncos to open the season, but it wouldn’t be enough, as they allowed ten in those same games.

For the Red Wings, they are entering Wilcox with the Hounds looking to prove something. They will be looking to Nathan Hargrave to continue to stand tall in the crease, and keep the puck out. The efficient power play for the Red Wings, which went 3-for-7 Saturday against the Terriers, will capitalize on any mistakes the Hounds make discipline wise.

Goaltenders

The Red Wings will more than likely be going with Hargrave again Wednesday night. The SJHL goaltender of the week has a save percentage of .969, the best of all goaltenders in the league who have played two games, and a GAA of 0.98, which is tops in the league. The Hounds will have some decisions to make. Riley Higdon played most of the two games for the Hounds so far, but was shaky, letting in nine goals in those two starts. The other goalie for Notre Dame, Payton Porter, could get the start. He has seen some action in the pre-season, and performed well while playing high school hockey back home in Maine. Edge: Weyburn

Defence

The blue line is always key to the performance of a team. They can limit the number of quality shots put on net, can quarterback the power play, and be looked upon to deliver big hits at the right time. With four of the seven defencemen on the roster returning from last season, the Hounds have a veteran presence there. Their defencemen can also step up and contribute offensively, with the blue line counting for almost 50 per cent of the team's offensive output. The Red Wings have a veteran presence as well, with six of their defencemen being returnees. They have also helped out immensely on the power play, and with putting the puck in the net. The tenacity of the Red Wings also helps when it comes to patrolling the defensive zone. Edge: Weyburn

Forwards

The Red Wings come into the game with an offence that is capable of putting the puck on the net in a hurry. They put 84 shots on goal in two games against the Terriers, and while seven per cent isn’t the greatest shooting percentage a team may want, it truly was the outstanding play of Yorkton’s netminder, Jacob Severson, and some puck-luck that kept the puck out. For the Hounds, their offence looked anemic at times, mustering just 50 shots in two games. That is 25 shots per game, in a league where the average number of shots for a team is in the 30+ range. Weyburn also has a strong offensive core around returning players such as Braden Mellon, Carson Rose, Jacob Wozney, Ian Parker, Cole Woodliffe, etc. For the Hounds, they will need the veterans and the new players to find ways to contribute offensively if they want to be successful this season. Edge: Weyburn

The game can be heard live on Red Wing Radio, K106, beginning with the pregame show at 7:50 p.m. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m.