Flyers Excel In Do Or Die Weekend
Three games over three nights at the Milestone memorial arena may have seemed daunting but the Flyers responded in a big way
Story and Photos By Robert Thomas
It was a big three days for the Milestone U18 A Female Flyers as they faced three different opponents over the course of three nights.
But in true style the Flyers - whose final regular season placing could literally be decided in a single weekend managed to sweep all three games.
Friday January 6th
Prairie Storm Thunder 1 at Milestone 2
The Flyers started out the weekend in a hard fought game against the squad from White City.
Playing to a crowd of close to 200 fans the high flying Milestone team was back after the Christmas break hoping to stay in the hunt for first place in the south division.
The scoring opened at the 19:01 mark of the Second Period when Avery Elder of the Prairie Storm Thunder scored an unassisted short handed goal.
The Flyers though would tie the game on a powerplay goal by Jess Mielke at 3:21. Assists on the goal went to Jordyn Vermeulen and Alexa Materi.
The Third Period was another hard fought effort busy the Flyers which paid off with the go ahead and winning goal.
Kaleigh McCann scored at 11:32 assisted by Mallory Tendler.
Kaleigh McCann scored the winning goal on Friday evening - MJ Independent file photo
Saturday January 7th
South West Cyclones 1 at Milestone 2
The team based in Gull Lake made the long drive to Milestone in hopes of pulling off a major weekend win.
And despite the hopes of adding a W on their record the Cyclones blew out of town pointless.
The scoring was opened by the Flyers in the Second Period.
Jordyn Vermeulen would score for the hometown Flyers at the 16:59 mark assisted by Kalla Nicholas.
The Flyers would score what would turn out to be the winning goal at the 3:44 mark.
Alexa Materi would score assisted by Jesse Mielke.
The Cyclones however would get on the board when Hailey Lowe scored at the 18:06 mark of the Third Period.
Former Moose Jaw Mavericks product Kiana Hrechka breaks in on Carlyle Wildcats goaltender Riley Scott - MJ Independent photo
Sunday January 8th
Carlyle Wildcats 3 at Milestone 5
After two hard fought victories in the two previous evenings the fatigue of a trio of games was starting to show its mark.
Despite the fatigue the Flyers managed to contain a fast skating Wildcat squad.
The Flyers would open the scoring at the 14:54 mark of the First Period when Brooklyn Hrynkiw skated in from her usual point position and once in the right wing circle fird a shot that beat Carlyle's Riley Scott
The assist went to Mallory Tendler.
Former Moose Jaw MaveriCks product Brooklyn Hrynkiw (right) scored Milestone's first goal. - MJ Independent file photo
Carlyle would however tie up the game by rushing the net.
By tying up Flyers goaltender Kamrie Kaufmann on the left wing the puck went back to glove hand side to Alexys Roppel who put it behind Kaufmann.
The assist went to Dixie Corscadden.
Alexys Roppel scores Carlyle's first goal - MJ Independent photo
The Second Period saw Milestone strike early to take the lead.
At the 19:26 mark Jesse Mielke scored from about 10 feet back with a wrist hand shot.
The assist went to Emily Quigley.
A goaltending error followed by a heads up play by Mike saw Mielke rush in and take the puck from under Scott and score an unassisted goal at 17:02.
Jessie Mielke scores her second goal of the game - MJ Independent photo
Carlyle would score there second goal from a mass scramble and pile of players in front of the goal with Kaufmann down on the play.
The unassisted goal was scored by Roppel at 5:39.
The period ended with the Flyers up 3 - 2 over the Wildcats.
The Third Period saw a rejuvenated Flyers once again strike early in the period.
Allison Duncan would score at 19:40 assisted by Jordyn Vermeulen.
The fifth Milestone goal was almost a carbon copy of the team's fourth goal.
Cara Farris would score assisted by Jordan Terry and McKenna Ferras.
Former Moose Jaw Mavericks product - (CeNter) Kiana Hrechka sits in front of Carlyle Wildcats goaltender Riley Scott - MJ Independent photo
Coach's Comments
It was a daunting schedule of three games in as many days but for Flyers assistant coach Darrell Perras it was a test the team came through on.
“They were all close games. Everybody is trying to get into shape I guess following the Christmas break. Two weeks off and so it was nice for us,” Perras said.
Three games over three days had its effect on the team on the last game in the trio.
“It was a tough game for us our girls were a little bit tired and Carlyle brought their A game,” he said.
“I think it (fatigue) played a role a little bit. It was nice to come back to that many games in a row so we can get back into the groove and get back into shape and all that stuff.”
Darrell Perras (right) speaks to one of the referees during the home opener in November - MJ Independent file photo
“We are really happy. We are really happy about how the girls showed up today especially. Friday we weren’t sure what were going to get (after the break)². We had some lulls in all three games where we took our foot off of the gas and it cost us sometimes.”
Asked if the coaching staff minded having three games over three nights he said they had some initial concerns.
Carlyle's Cherish Kaysaywaysemat (right) and Milestone's Emma Krausher battle for a lose puck - MJ Independent photo
“Maybe when we first looked at the schedule we had some thoughts it could be a tough weekend and a tough grind. But now that we get back into it is nice to be back at the rink and see everybody.”
The estimated crowd for Sunday evening's game was about 140 - 150 people in the stands.
While Friday evening's game - which coincidently coincided with the kickoff of this past weekend's U11 female hockey tournament - saw close to 200 people fill the stands.
It’s something the team likes to see and feeds off of the fan's energy.
“It’s nice,” Perras said, adding “but Friday night in Milestone is a pretty special time.”
The U18 A Female Flyers almost traditionally have a majority of their home games at 8 pm Friday evening’s.
“We are well supported by our fans, our communities and our parents and all their families so it is nice.”
The fatigue factor played into how the team ‘s strategy for the game, Perras said.
“It was nice we got to roll all four lines so everybody short shifts and try to keep the pucks down low and backcheck. Just keep it simple.”
About the Flyers being neck and neck with the Balcarres Barracudas he said the team was stats wise in a good place.
Carlyle's Morgan Balogh (left) and Milestone's Jayda Donison battle for position - MJ Independent photo
“I think we are pretty happy where we are. The girls have worked really hard and again as we said all along every game everybody can win.”
About Friday and Saturday evenings’ games Perras said the Flyers outshot Prairie Storm Thunder and the Southwest Cyclones but just couldn’t find the net.
“Again we outshot them again pretty well and we just couldn't score. That is credit to them playing good defence and good goaltending. Both goalies were good. Again just tight games,” he said.
The unofficial three stars of the game (as selected by MJ Independent) are:
1st Star - Milestone - Jesse Mielke
2nd Star - Milestone - Cara Faris
3rd Star - Carlyle - Alexys Roppel
The Flyers next home game is Friday January 20th at 8 pm when they will face the visiting Southwest Cyclones playing out of Gull Lake.
