The Warman Female U18 AA Wildcats pulled out a 2-2 tie over the Western Prairie Aces to open up their 2020-21 regular season.
The contest was played at the Legends Centre on November 6, and the Wildcats scored the game’s first goal in the opening period to take the early lead.
Kendall Guenther netted the Warman goal and that 1-0 lead held up going into the second period.
Warman head coach Bevin Guenther wanted the Wildcats to use the home ice advantage early on in the contest to get that lead, which the team did.
“Where in our own barn here in Warman at the Legends Centre, and scoring the first goal is a luxury,” he said.
The Aces battled back in the middle frame by scoring two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead. However, with just only 43 seconds left in the period, the Wildcats showed their resiliency and tied the game.
Warman had a lot of bodies in front of the Western Prairie goalie, blocking her vision, when Sienna Bohrson’s shot trickled into the net.
Both teams had multiple scoring opportunities to take the lead in the third period, but the respective goalies stepped up and made some big saves when needed, to keep it a tied game.
Even though the Wildcats let that early lead slip away, Guenther was impressed with the resiliency of the team and how they were able to battle back after giving up the lead.
“You go up 1-0 and a team comes back. And they deserved every goal they got, they played hard,” he said. Obviously in situations like that we’re looking for a hero, so we tied it up. We ended in a tie, but I give our team all the credit in the world.”
Throughout the game the Wildcats faced some challenges but the team continued to grind and compete at high level.
“I enjoy the enthusiasm and the spirit they bring every single day; that was a good hockey game,” he said.
Wildcats player Heather Gust also thought the team played well for their first game of the season.
“We did pretty good at just pushing ourselves to the limit,” she said.
Even though the Wildcats played with a full effort throughout the game, there are some areas the team needs to work on to pick up that first win of the season.
“I think we can work on pushing all the time, trying all game, even if we’re tired,” Gust said.
There is a mix of veteran and new players on this team and although it can be daunting for the first year players, Gust wants to use her experience in the league to help those players ease into this season.
“We need to teach them to get comfortable. We’re a team, nobody is here to judge and we need to work together,” she said.
The Wildcats and the Aces were suppose to meet up again the following day in Elrose for the second game of the home-and-home series, but that matchup was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
Warman’s next game is scheduled for November 14 as the Wildcats take on the North East Aces at the Warman Rodeo Diamond Arena. Puck drops at 5:30 p.m.
