By COLBY STOESZ

The Martensville Recreation Centre was buzzing as it hosted a U18AAA battle between the Warman Wildcats and Tisdale Trojans on Wednesday, January 22. The Wildcats sent an astounding 50 shots at the Trojan goaltender over the evening, but only struck gold once as they fell 1-3.

The Wildcats were short-handed following a line brawl against the Swift Current Legionnaires on January 19, resulting in seven-game misconducts. Warman’s affiliate roster stepped up to fill the holes on Wednesday, putting in a valiant effort despite the loss.

The game started slow, with Tisdale’s Eric Han scoring the lone goal of the first period in the dying seconds. After 20 minutes, the Wildcats were trailing 0-1.

The second period was even quieter than the first, and neither side could find the back of the net despite a combined 35 shots on goal.

Five minutes into the second period, Trojan Carter Corbett scored his first goal of the season to give the visitors a two-score cushion. Warman’s Hudson Brehaut finally broke the ice for the Wildcats, claiming his 11th goal this year, aided by Mason Obrigewitch and Broden Wotherspoon. 

Warman outshot Tisdale 14-5 in the third frame, but they couldn’t shoot their way back into the game. A Trojan empty-net goal with a minute to play iced the game as the Wildcats dropped their fourth game in a row.

The Wildcats travelled to Yorkton over the weekend for a pair of games against the Kinsmen Maulers. Warman won Saturday’s matchup 7-1, with seven different Wildcats scoring in the victory. Sunday’s match was closely contested, but it was Yorkton who came out on top 5-4.

After last week’s games, Warman sits in seventh place in the SMAAAHL standings. With only eight teams advancing to the playoffs in March, each game remains critical for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will return to the Warman Home Centre Communiplex when they’ll host the last-place Notr