Farmers hoping to turn things around in Tiger Hills

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Published on Tuesday, December 10, 2013

By: Lanny Stewart

myWestman.ca

The Neepawa Farmers are nearing the halfway mark of the regular season in the Tiger Hills Hockey League and so far the 2013-2014 year has been a bit of a struggle for the club.

The senior hockey team has won only two games thus far through nine contests in the 24-game regular season and are in last place in the Eastern Division. It's unfamiliar territory for a team that has had success since the club's inception in the league. The Farmers won the championship title in their inaugural year in the THHL in 2011 and have since had winning seasons, which included another championship final appearance last season.

"We are starting to play better as of late," said Farmers blueliner Rodney White. "We've had a lot of close games but it seems we just cant get a goal at the right time."

The Farmers have put together three straight close games defeating Glenboro 6-5 on on Nov. 29 and following that up with a tightly contested 2-0 loss to Cartwright the next night. The Farmers last game saw the team fall 6-5 in overtime to Pilot Mound. The three contests saw the club accumulate three of a possible six points, which is a positive step for a team that began the season with a 1-5 mark.

"We are starting to put together some offence and with that, we should see success," said White.

The Farmers are a much younger squad than in years past largely due to the departures of several veteran players such as forward Shane Jury, who led the league in scoring last year. However, the presence of veteran netminder Brad Nelson remains between the pipes and he's had a positive effect on the club so far this season.

"Our goaltending has really kept us in a lot of games," continued White.

He says both Brad and Curtis Nelson have been a stabilizing presence in net and have been key to both of the Farmers victories this year.

"Brad and Curtis [Nelson] have been standing on their heads all year."

The Farmers will look to continue their climb out of the division basement when they travel to Gladstone to take on the Lakers on Saturday night.

Farmers leaders

- Lance Nugent and Neil Ernest are currently tied for the team lead in scoring with 11 points each.

- Curtis Nelson has the lone shut out between the pipes and it came against Pilot Mound on Nov. 1.