Milestone Flyers Drop Home Opener

MILESTONE - It may not have been the final result they wanted but the Milestone U18A Flyers female hockey team are nevertheless happy to be back home and on the ice.

On Friday evening the Flyers fell 4 - 2 against the visiting Saskatoon Comet Rush in their home opener. The Flyers returned to Saskatchewan Female Hockey League regular season play at home after COVID - 19 pandemic measures effectively shutdown play a year ago.

The Milestone Flyers Jacelyn Vermeulen watches as a deflected shot just misses the net - MJ Independent photo

“It feels real good,” Flyers head coach Shane Kaufmann said about being able to play games again after basically a year hiatus.

Kaufmann is philosophical about the pandemic measures and the effect on the game but stated it was great to once again to be back at play.

The Flyers (and Moose Jaw Mavericks product) Sidney Ellingson is watched carefully by Saskatoon net minder Katherine Davis - MJ Independent photo

“It’s nice to see that the kids are able to go out and do something,” he said.

Asked about the importance the re-opening of hockey is to Milestone Kaufmann said although he is not from Milestone - he is from Ceylon and grew up in that small community - you could tell by the enthusiasm of the 100 plus fans who came out for a late starting Friday evening game how important the local hockey rink is.

“It’s really important that the rink doors are open it gives people in the smaller communities something to do in the Winter. The rinks give people something to do and an opportunity to socialize.”

Milestone coach Shane Kaufmann gives instructions during a stoppage of play - MJ Independent photo

Unlike other teams the Flyers did not loose players number-wise but actually grew in size from last year’s roster.

Although based out of Milestone - where Kaufmann says his U18A female squad gets plenty of ice time at premium time slots - the team is actually made up of players from surrounding communities.

Along with the four players (Nikita Halyk, Ember DuSomme, Sydney Ellingson and Taryn Sandbeck) from the Moose Jaw Mavericks system players also come from the communities of Ceylon, Milestone, Avonlea, Pense, Bengough, Radville, Yellow Grass and Rouleau.

Flyers McKenna Perras fights for the puck against Comet Rush’s Kalli Gerner - MJ Independent photo

THE GAME

Saskatoon got onto the scoreboard first at 19:05 when Chloe Dierker score an unassisted tally up close at the 19:05 mark of the first period.

Despite the early tally against them Milestone fought back and tied the game at the 10:18 mark when Sidney Ellingson put the puck behind Saskatoon net minder Katherine Davis after receiving a pass from Ember DuSomme.

Saskatoon’s Chloe Bably (left) jostles for the puck with Milestone’s Ember DuSomme - MJ Independent photo

The Flyers, who played a strong game throughout, had probably their best play in the second period.

After some hard work forechecking deep in Saskatoon’s end of the ice Nikita Halyk was able to score at the 8:10 assisted by Kalla Nicholas.

The Flyers would heavily dominate in the battles deep in the Comet Rush zone. Winning time and time again battles along the boards and the corners resulting in numerous scoring opportunities they were unable to capitalize on.

Flyers’ netminder Kamrie Kaufmann makes one of many saves on the evening - MJ Independent photo

Penalty problems hurt the Flyers in the third period.

The third period saw aggressive play with the end result a two player advantage sealed the game’s fate as Saskatoon was able to capitalize.

The Comet Rush managed to tie the game after Lauren Hay was breaking in and scored at 13:14 mark.

The Saskatoon squad saw themselves with a two player advantage at the 9:12 mark and after some aggressive penalty killing which was paying off Hay scored again assisted by Isabella Chretien, There was just 12 seconds remaining in the two player advantage when Saskatoon took the lead.

Saskatoon would go on to add the insurance marker at the 4:57 mark with Kaycee Penrod scoring assisted by Chretien and Carlee Desmarias.

After a time out the Flyers pulled their net minder for six attackers but were unable to score.

Milestone’s Jordyn Vermeulen hits center ice late in the third period - MJ Independent photo

In the post game interview head coach Kaufmann said he was happy with the efforts of his squad and it was a game of inches.

“They are going to go one way or the other and tonight was not our game,” he said. “Some days you win and some days you lose.”

Despite the loss Kaufmann said the Flyers had numerous scoring opportunities and missed by inches on them.

Asked about the Flyers dominating in the corners and behind the Comet Rush’s net throughout the game he said on numerous occasions if the player could have just reached a little further it was just half a blade width on numerous wrap around attempts.

About the aggressive play Kaufmann said he is not surprised by it as the league this year is highly competitive. All teams are aggressive in backchecking and forechecking.

He said goaltending was key with goalies on both sides playing great games.

Asked about the turning point in the game - the two player advantage - Kaufmann felt if the team could have prevented Saskatoon from scoring for another 13 seconds that being even strength after the goal - instead of penalized for an additional 59 seconds would have made it easier to tie the game.

Milestone’s Jordan Terry is cross-checked by Saskatoon’s Carlee Desmarais drawing a penalty on the play - MJ Independent photo

Kaufmann said the entire league was highly competitive this year with all teams playing aggressively so he was not surprised by the type of play.

He said during the longer hiatus until their next game the team would be focusing on forechecking, special teams and staying out of the penalty box.

About the 100 plus fans who came out he said the team was appreciative to see the support and great to see such a large number come out.

“We appreciate the people who come out.”

“It was loud and lots of excitement for the fans,” he said adding the atmosphere was great and lots of great tunes added to the entire game.

With the loss the Flyers move to 1 - 1 - 1 on the season. The Saskatoon Comet Rush move to a 3 - 2 - 0 record,

The Milestone Flyers next game is at home to the Saskatoon Comet Predators on December 3rd with an 8:30 pm start.

The Saskatoon Comet Rush next play at home November 22nd at 7 pm versus the Warman Bengals.