By Derek Cornet

Junior Hockey

Odds low Ice Wolves will make SJHL playoffs

Feb 1, 2019 | 3:37 PM

The odds are against the La Ronge Ice Wolves from earning a spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs.

With 11 regular season games left before then, the Ice Wolves need to win at least seven to have a shot of being among the top 10 in the 12-team league. Even if they do secure seven wins, they need both the Weyburn Red Wings and Melville Millionaires to essentially lose those many games to have a chance at catching up. The Ice Wolves currently have 22 points, while the Red Wings have 34 and the Millionaires have 36.

“We’re not out of playoffs, so we have to keep working hard and keeping doing the things to make it successful,” Head Coach Evan Vossen said. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to look at tonight here in Melfort and coming away with two points so we can build on something. If we focus too much on things down the road, we tend to lose sight of what’s right in front [us].”

At this point in the season, the Ice Wolves have the same number of wins and are only one point shy of 2017-2018 standings with a record 10 wins and 35 loses. Considering there is still one month of hockey left in the season, Vossen said the team is showing improvement compared to previous years. He noted players have been scoring more goals and offence has gotten better.

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There are also only four home games left this season with the next one scheduled for Feb. 5 against the Nipawin Hawks. There will be back-to-back games Feb. 15 and 16 against the Humboldt Broncos and the final contest is set for March 2 against the Flin Flon Bombers.

“With the season winding down, there’s some opportunities for some fans to get out and see a game,” Vossen said. “They’ll see a team that works hard and competes for 60 minutes. They’ve been really exciting… since Christmas for sure. I don’t think there’s anything denying that.”

If the Ice Wolves don’t advance to playoffs, it will mark the third year in a row they haven’t done so.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno