Yellowhead Chiefs continue superb play

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Published on Thursday, October 13, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The strong start to the 2016-2017 Manitoba Midget Hockey League (MMHL) regular season continued for the Yellowhead Chiefs, as the boys team won a pair of games last weekend. The first victory came against the Southwest Cougars, during Yellowhead’s home opener at Shoal Lake, on Friday, Oct. 7. Mackenzie Belinski scored a pair of goals and added an assist to help lead the Chiefs to a 6-5 win.

Before the game, a special ceremony was held to commemorate the first Yellowhead Chiefs squad, as the team celebrates its 30th season in the league. Players Neil Gillies, Jeff Hume, Troy Luhowy, Steven Pegoski and Cory Smith, along with team manager Denny Smith attended the home opener and were a part of the opening ceremonies.

Once the puck dropped, Yellowhead immediately went on the attack, as Benoit Mowbray, of St. Lazare, scored just 20 seconds into the game. Southwest countered with a power-play goal with seven minutes remaining in the first, but the Chiefs quickly countered with an unassisted effort by Belinski to reclaim the one goal lead. After the first period, Yellowhead held a comfortable 17-5 shot (SOG) advantage.

In the second, the offence for both teams blew wide open, as the Cougars notched a pair, while the Chiefs countered with three goals. Jacob Tibbatts, Ryan Heino and Noah Geekie each scored for the home side in the middle frame. Yellowhead once again held the SOG advantage at 16-10 for the period and 33-15 for the game at that point.

For the third period, Southwest rallied back, scoring a pair of goals within the first six minutes to tie the game at 5-5. It would remain tied until late in the game, as Mackenzie Belinski scored his second of the night ,on an acrobatic effort with just over two minutes left in regulation. 

Yellowhead returned to the ice on Sunday, Oct. 9, this time against the Central Plains Capitals. This game would be a little easier for the home side, as the Chiefs secured the 4-1 decision. Jaxon Heeney, of Forrest, had a great day for Yellowhead, getting a hat trick, while Ryan Heino notched the other marker.

After the pair of weekend wins, Yellowhead finds itself near the top of the MMHL standings, one point behind the Winnipeg Wild with a game in hand. The Chiefs next take on the Kenora Thistles Oct. 14-15.