Neepawa Farmers falter against Border Kings
- Details
- Published on Sunday, October 29, 2017
Border Kings goaltender Mark Tripp is able to disrupt Neepawa's Ward Szucki's chance on a breakaway, during the second period of their game on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Yellowhead Arena.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press
An ineffective night on special teams proved to be the undoing for the Neepawa Farmers on Saturday, Oct, 28, as they lost to the Boissevain Border Kings 8-4. The Farmers gave up three goals on the penalty kill, as well as surrendering one when they had the man advantage, on the way to their first loss (1-1-0) in the Tiger Hills Hockey League (THHL) regular season.
The game, which took place at the Yellowhead Arena, started off well for the hometown Farmers, scoring the first two goals of the game. Ward Szucki lead the way just 4:29 into the opening period. Just 48 seconds later, Szucki’s team-mate, Bret Levandoski doubled Neepawa’s advantage at 2-0. Before the end of the opening 20 minutes, however, the Border Kings bounced back with a pair of their own, from Patrick Leask and Chris Low, respectively.
Shifting into the second period, the Farmers would reclaim the lead with a Garett Rempel effort. It was at this point in the action, however, where special teams became an issue for the home squad. First the Kings’ Jeff Neufeld scored on the power-play to tied things up at 3-3. A few minutes later, Neepawa received an extra man advantage of their own, as Chris Low was sent off for tripping. But, it was the Kings would take advantage, as Bruce Highway notched a short-handed marker, giving Boissevain the 4-3 lead. Just over 90 seconds later, the Border Kings added to the lead, as Travis Mealy put away his first of the year. That providing the visiting Kings with a three goal cushion heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation.
To close out the night, previous scorers Leask and Low added to their stateliness with goals, while Kelly Glowa also contributed with his first of the year. Neepawa’s Riley Kolesar put one away for the Farmers, but that wasn’t enough, as Boissevain would leave the ice with the 8-4 victory.
The next action for Neepawa will be on Friday, Nov. 3, when the team travels to MacGregor to face the Wild.
Bombers win pair
The Minnedosa Bombers are off to a quick start, winning a pair of games during their opening weekend. First, the Bombers outlasted the MacGregor Wild on Friday, Oct. 27, with a 6-5 decision. They’d follow that up with a dominant 6-1 win at home over the Cartwright Clippers on Saturday, Oct. 28. Shane Jury and Wes Lewis have been the big guns for Minnedosa thus far. Both players have already accumulated six points apiece, with 4 goals and 2 assists for Jury and 3 goals and 3 assists for Lewis. Next up for Minnedosa will be a date with the Souris Elks on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Minnedosa District Arena.
Gladstone win home opener
After falling to Neepawa in their opening season game last weekend, the Gladstone Lakers have bounced back with an impressive 10-3 win over the Melita Bisons. Sean Kubas proved to be an offensive juggernaut, with a six point night (4 goals - 2 assists). Teammates Jesse Toth (2G-2A) and Nick Stire (2G-1A) also had big nights for the Lakers. Gladstone will next face the challenge of the defending league and provincial champions, the Killarney Shamrocks, who are already off to a 3-0-0 start in the standings. That game is set for Friday, Nov. 3 at the Shamrock Centre.
