The Midget AAA Yorkton Harvest found out over the weekend what playing against a team with two studs in net is like when the bounces don't go their way.
"Lewchuk and Weninger," says Harvest head coach Jeff Odgers referring to Brett Lewchuk and Evan Weninger"he played well today, he made some big saves, we had a 5-on-3 today and didn't capitalize!"
The two goaltenders represent the Saskatoon Blazers and stymied Harvest shooters all weekend long during a pair of Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League games at the Farrell Agencies Arena in Yorkton.
"We knew it was important to score," Odgers went on, talking about missed opportunities during that two-man advantage Yorkton had when the game was well within reach.
Instead, the Blazers torched the Harvest for three more goals en route to a 5-0 win on Sunday. They also won 4-2 the night before.
"Today, for sure," responded Odgers as to which game was more frustrating.
"We had the start we wanted," talking about the opening period. "Today was harder."
That game also marked the first time the Harvest outshot their opponents, to a tune of 40-36.
The first two periods were just about even. Yorkton held a seven-shot advantage in the third period but could not beat Weninger.
Neither team was able to click on the power play. Saskatoon had eight chances, Yorkton had seven.
Jackson Michalenko had two goals in the win. Brad Bigsby, Tyler Kreklewich and Lane Pederson each had singles.
The night before, Saskatoon recorded their second win of the season after a 4-2 win at the FAA.
This time Saskatoon did all the damage in the shots department. Ten in the first, 13 in the second followed by 16 in the third but it was Yorkton that got on the scoreboard first, and early.
Eric Meyer needed only .39 to beat the Blazer netminder. Lynndon Pastachak and Logan Karakochuk each drew assists.
The visitors however tallied twice in the first to go up 2-1. Pederson and Nick Lenius each scored, one on the power play and one at even strength.
The second period went by scoreless and Meyer's second of the night tied the game on a power play from Pastachak and Ethan Bear.
Two more Blazer goals in the last eight minutes of the game gave the visitors the 4-2 win.
Yorkton's last home game in October comes this week (Wednesday) when the winless Notre Dame Hounds come to Yorkton for one of four 8 p.m., face-offs this season.
Yorkton held a one-point lead in the SMAAAHL standings as of the weekend. Moose Jaw leads the league with five wins and 10 points while Swift Current and the Saskatoon Contacts round out the top three teams in the league.
Following the Yorkton/Notre Dame game, the AAA Harvest go out on the road for four games before returning to the FAA on Nov. 17.
