The Warman Wildcats earned their first victory of the season on Saturday, November 6, downing the Shellbrook Silvertips 10-6 in Twin Rivers Hockey League (TRHL) action at the Diamond Rodeo Arena in Warman.
“It was a big win,” said Wildcats coach Taylor Watts. “We needed it.”
After dropping their home opener October 30 by a score of 3-2 against Cudworth, and losing 6-5 in an overtime shootout in Clavet October 31, the Wildcats found a way to finally get in the win column.
“Our guys were on the same page tonight,” said Watts. “We started off a little sluggish, and we had a few lulls, but in the third period Shellbrook was tired and we didn’t let our foot off the gas, and I think that really made the difference.”
Warman’s Gordon Wasteste picked up the first of two goals on the night when he opened the scoring midway through the opening period. Shellbrook’s Brett Mason answered back four minutes later for the visitors. At the end of the first period the score was tied 2-2, and by the second intermission the teams were still deadlocked at 5-5.
Both teams were evenly-matched, and even in the small confines of the Diamond rink, there was still enough room for senior hockey’s trademark fast skating and sharp passes.
The third period belonged to Warman, as Wildcats skaters scored five goals over a ten-minute stretch. Meanwhile, Wildcats’ goaltender Chase Honan turned away numerous chances by the Silvertips until finally letting one get by during a penalty-kill late in the game.
Warman goal-scorers were Gordon Wasteste (2), Brayden Anderson, Logan McGuire, Cody Kroszer, Brett Weiman, Taylor Elmy, Tyler Hubbard, Tanner Clark and Thien Gamble. Shellbrook snipers included Brett Mason, Cody Belair, Parker Turner, Dylan Smith, Nathaniel Martin and Gage Helm.
Watts said the Wildcats are gelling as a team under the veteran leadership of Wildcats captain Brayden Anderson. Despite playing shorthanded in their first couple of games, he’s expecting the lineup to be complete by next weekend with a couple of new additions.
“We’ll have Zach Flemming in the lineup next week,” said Watts. “He’s a big 6 foot 3 kid who’s originally from Coronach and was a steady 100-point getter in the southern Junior B league. He just moved up here and turned down several other offers in order to play with us.”
Watts said the team has equal confidence in Honan and the other goaltender, Nathan Dancy.
“We have good, solid goaltenders,” he said. “We’re comfortable flip-flopping them every game; whoever is ready. We also prepared to ride the hot goaltender when we need to.”
The senior Wildcats’ next game is Friday, November 12 when they host the Hague Royals at the Diamond Rodeo Arena. They travel to Waldheim on Saturday, November 13 to take on the Warriors.
