Neepawa splits weekend with Blizzard

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Published on Thursday, October 15, 2015

Photos by Eoin Devereux. Patrick Carlin and Kyle McDonald celebrate a Neepawa goal against OCN, during the game in Carberry on Oct. 9.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

When you look at the recent results for the Neepawa Natives, it makes you wonder if the team should consider playing more of their home games away from home.

The MJHL club split a pair of games with the OCN Blizzard over the weekend; a thrilling 2-1 win at the Carberry Plains Community Centre on Friday, Oct. 9, followed by a demoralizing 8-1 loss to that same OCN team the following night at the Yellowhead Centre.

Neepawa started off strong on Friday evening in Carberry, outshooting the Blizzard 13-8 in the first period. That effort paid off at 13:38 into the opening frame, as Patrick Carlin scored his fourth goal of the season, to secure a 1-0 lead for the Natives after 20 minutes.

A scoreless second period saw both teams with several opportunities to swing the momentum of the game to their favour, but unable to bury any of their chances. 

In the third, the Blizzard hit the ice with a sense of urgency, forcing the majority of play to be deep in the Natives’ zone, but Neepawa goaltender Troy Pierce kept OCN at bay by stopping 15 shots.  

Early in the period, a turnover at the blueline cost OCN, as Reigan Buchanan was able to blast a second goal past goaltender Emelien Boily, to make the score 2-0.

As the final period drew to a close, the Blizzard continued to press and were finally rewarded with a goal, as Kona Jackson sniped one past Pierce to cut the lead in half and make for a dramatic finish.

The Blizzard continued to push for the tying goal but a late slashing penalty against OCN would take the pressure off Neepawa and ensure the 2-1 win.

After the game, Natives coach Jim Fuyarchuk said it was a solid effort by the entire team.

“It was a good night out there. [Troy] Pierce did an outstanding job and made some great saves. The guys in front of him played disciplined. We did a good job of cycling the puck well, we also back-checked hard and just really played smart out there,” noted Fuyarchuk.  “We had many opportunities for more goals, but their goaltender [Emiliem Boily] played terrific. Overall, our players stayed focused and it showed in a positive manner in the final results.”

The game proved to be a success off the ice as well for Neepawa, with just over 300 people estimated at the event for paid attendance, combined with a large contingent of youngsters from Carberry Minor Hockey, who were able to attend at no cost. CMHA president Jason Falk said it was great for the local kids to see this caliber of hockey up close.

“The players around here don’t have an opportunity very often to see something like this in their own home arena. All the kids were excited about it leading up to the game and that excitement carried on throughout the night. It was a plus for the parents as well and just fans of good hockey in general. It was a close game with lots of chances. Overall it was something everyone enjoyed immensely,” noted Falk.

Natives general manager Myles Cathcart agreed with Falk’s perspective and added that the team really liked the opportunity to bring the game to the community.

“The game in Carberry was a success on and off the ice,” said Cathcart. “The team played very well and the community really embraced the event.  The organization would like to thank everyone involved as it is appreciated.”

Even though the night in Carberry was a huge success for the Natives, the team was unable to maintain that momentum the next night at home in the Yellowhead Centre. OCN would put the pressure on Natives defence throughout the game, leading to an 8-1 win. Jeremy Dumont led the way for OCN, with three goals and an assist. Logan Harland added a pair of goals, while Shane Roulette, Brendan Barron and Brady Keeper each notched single goals to ensure the victory. Aiken Chop scored a late third period goal for Neepawa to ruin the shutout bid for Blizzard goaltender Emiliem Boily. These two teams will meet for a pair of game this weekend in the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre, at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The next home game for Neepawa is on Wednesday, Oct. 21 against the Steinbach Pistons.

Neepawa Natives players fist-bumped young fans in Carberry as they came out of the locker room for the Oct. 9 game.