Red Wings Host Bruins Tonight

The Weyburn Red Wings had a tough first half of the season, but a valuable learning experience none the less. A new look team, with a new coach and a handful of young hockey players who had never played in the league before. With this comes some obvious growing pains and rough patches, leaving Weyburn in the basement after the first half of the 2014 campaign. But some key trades are appearing to pay off, and a dominating 9-1 victory to close out the first half of the season, has given fans and coaches something to look forward to.

The departures of Kyle Oleniuk, Sam Williams, and Ryan Cooper were tough to watch, but the return is looking promising. Brendan McKay has 6 points in 9 games with the Red Wings, while Cody Pettapiece has evidently been the #1 blueliner. Mason Anderson is adapting well to life in the SJHL, and the 18 year old defenseman from Alaska shows potential to be a staple on the defensive corps for years to come.

Tonight the Red Wings (12-17-2-2) will face off versus their long time rivals from down the road, the Estevan Bruins (15-13-2-3). The two clubs have only met once this season, with Weyburn emerging victorious 4-1 on Remembrance Day. Weyburn posted their season high in penalty minutes in the win, as tempers and emotions ran high. However this time around, the Wings will have to make due without rookie sensation, Rylan Parenteau between the pipes. Parenteau has been called up to the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, to replace their 17 year old goaltender, Nick McBride, who is suiting up for Canada Pacific and the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. So Jack Burgart will be making his 9th start tonight for Weyburn, going 4-4 in his previous 8 outings.

Estevan sits 7 points ahead of Weyburn in the Viterra Division, with the first of seven remaining meetings tonight. The two teams will reconvene on New Years Day in Estevan for the rematch at 3:00pm. Both games will be broadcast on AM1190.