Game Day Preview – Wings on the road to Nipawin

story by Play-By-Play Voice of the Red Wings, Steven Wilson, of DiscoverWeyburn.com

The Weyburn Red Wings will be looking to extend their point streak to seven games when they take the ice in Nipawin tonight. The game is the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with Nipawin having the advantage in the two previous games.

Much of the reason for the performance of the Hawks has been the play of Kristian Stead. The 20-year-old netminder has been lights out for the Hawks this year, and for a good portion of the first half of the season, has led the league in most goaltending categories. As of late, though, Stead has looked beatable. The Wings will be looking to take advantage of miscues from the Hawks as of late to pick up the win.

For Weyburn, they will be without the services of their captain, Mike Eskra, who is off at Canada West selection camp for the World Junior A Challenge. As well, Carter Phair will not be with the team. Phair is likely to be called back to the Kamloops Blazers in the coming days until the end of the World Junior Championships. Those small changes to the roster could prove to be a challenge for the Wings, although they have proven in the past several players are ready, willing and able to step up when needed.

The play of newcomers Erik Olson, Ryan Rothenburger and Jamieson Ree has been a welcome addition to the lineup this month for the Wings. They have demonstrated a strong presence on the ice, and have gelled well in the locker room. The wily veterans of the team, which include Ian Parker, Connor Burk, Cole Woodliffe and Braden Mellon, will also be ready to step up, and continue their strong play. One player who will be out for part of the trip, though, is Jake Wozney, as he sits for the next two games due to suspension, because of a major penalty for a hit from behind against Yorkton on Saturday.

The next four games will be key for the Wings, as they visit each of the Sherwood Division teams for the final time this season. With Estevan playing strong hockey as of late, they will need to string together a few wins in the next few days to help close the gap, while hoping for a little help from the other teams in the Sherwood, as Estevan will be following close behind on the same road trip.

You can listen to all the action on the road on Red Wing Radio K106, beginning tonight with the pregame show at 7:20 p.m.

Game Day Preview sponsored by Tim Hortons