The Weyburn Red Wings return to Crescent Point Place tonight, as they host the Humboldt Broncos for the first time this season. Weyburn enters the game on a two-game winning streak, the most recent triumph a 4-1 victory over the Melville Millionaires on Monday, and occupy the top spot in the Viterra Division (14-6-2-0, 30pts). The Broncos are in first in the Olympic Buildings Division (14-7-1-1, 30pts), and are coming off a 4-2 loss to the La Ronge Ice Wolves Wednesday.

The game will be a battle of the goaltenders. Arik Weersink is expected to start for the Wings tonight and is coming into the game the current goaltender of the week in the SJHL. He has posted a 1.12 GAA in his past four games, allowing just four goals while picking up two wins.

For the Broncos, Jacob Wassermann, a rookie from Humboldt, has carried the bulk of the work, while posting the numbers of a seasoned veteran. He has a GAA of 2.37, and a save percentage of .916 in 16 games this year.

Offensively, these are two of the more prominent offenses in the league as well. Weyburn is lead by the line of Ben Hiltz, Cade Kowalski, and Jordan Kazymyra. The three have combined for 60 points so far this season, with Hiltz leading the way with 25. Kowalski and Kazymyra are in the top five for points out of all the rookies in the league. The offense doesn’t just stop there, though. Cole Woodliffe has compiled 19 points so far this year, while defensemen Mike Eskra and Erik Olson are chipping in offensively, with 18 and 21 points respectively.

The offense is very well rounded for the Red Wings, with every member of the regular roster earning a point so far, while just three skaters have yet to register a goal.

For the Broncos, Logan Schatz is leading the way with 29 points in 23 games. Right behind him are Brayden Camrud and Kaleb Dahlgren with 21 and 18. Acquisitions like Derek Patter and Bryce Fiske have also helped the Broncos in their start to the season, as they look to hold off the Notre Dame Hounds and Battlefords North Stars for first in the division.

Special teams will also be crucial to both of these teams, which are well disciplined and have the ability to make opponents pay for mistakes. Weyburn comes into the game with a power play which is converting 19.5 percent of the time. Humboldt, 19.2 percent. The penalty kills are just as close, with Humboldt and Weyburn both at 84 percent. When you look at the records whether at home or away, you begin to see some differences, though. Humboldt has just five power play goals away from the Elgar Petersen Arena, while the Red Wings kill off 87.5 percent of the penalties they take at home.

Tonight is also Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal or purchase one with a donation at the door. When the Red Wings score their first goal of the night, they then throw the stuffed animals onto the ice. The bears and the proceeds go to the Weyburn Salvation Army.

The puck drops on tonight’s game at 7:30 p.m.