For the first time since the 2015-16, the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are the division champions. Captain Blake Betson scored twice, and Jerome Maharaj added a goal himself, as the Red Wings skated to a 3-2 win over the Humboldt Broncos at Crescent Point Place. The win secured the top spot in the division over the Yorkton Terriers. It also means Weyburn will have the third seed in the SJHL playoffs.
“It’s pretty cool to see the rise of this group, and the amount of talent we have this year is just unbelievable, and a great group of guys,” Betson said after the game. “Couldn’t be happier.”
“It’s been a long time coming here,” head coach Cody Mapes said. “In my time here, we’ve taken a lot of big strides to get to this spot, and we’re excited about where we’re at, but we’re more excited about where we’re going.”
The game was also the return to Weyburn for Broncos goalie Dazza Mitchell. He had started his junior career with the Red Wings in 2021 and had been moved to the Broncos at the trade deadline this past January. He would turn aside 40 of the 43 shots he faced in a losing effort.
“I grew up with Dazza, so I know all the spots to go on him,” Betson joked after the game. Definitely going to be in his ear about it later, that’s for sure.”
The Red Wings honoured Mitchell with a video tribute in the first period. The goaltender acknowledged the fans, and he did so again at the end of the game as those still in the building when he left the ice gave him a standing ovation. That ovation was repeated when he went into the lobby of Crescent Point Place to say hi to friends, family, and fans.
The Broncos were the first to get on the board, when Rylan Hue scored 4:51 into the second period, after the two teams were held scoreless in the first by fantastic goaltending at both ends.
It would be another 20 minutes before anyone else would score, as Betson potted his 11th of the season 6:00 into the third period to tie the game. Maharaj and Dallen Oxelgren had the assists on the goal.
Maharaj would then put Weyburn up 2-1 with his 15th of the year 90 seconds later. Betson was credited with the lone assist on the goal.
With 7:23 left on the clock, Betson would score what stood to be the game winner. He was assisted by Maharaj and Jaxson Ruthven.
Humboldt did add one more goal before the end of the game, as Maddox Amaral got the puck past Angelo Zol with nine seconds left on the clock.
With the top spot wrapped up in the division, the Red Wings will now prepare for the final games of the regular season – a home and home with the Estevan Bruins this weekend.
“We’re not mailing this thing in,” Mapes stated. “We want to make sure we’re ready to go for game one of the playoffs, and so next weekend is important.”
The first game of the home-and-home is Friday night at Crescent Point Place, with the two teams meeting again on Saturday in Estevan to finish the regular season.
Written by Steven Wilson
Originally published on Discover Weyburn
