The Ice Wolves have six home games in a row in the next couple of weeks. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

home games

‘Biggest weekend of the year’: Ice Wolves looking to climb SJHL standings

Nov 30, 2023 | 5:00 PM

La Ronge Ice Wolves head coach Kevin Kaminski is describing upcoming back-to-back-to-back games as the biggest weekend of the year for the team.

The action starts Thursday at the Mel Hegland Uniplex, where the Ice Wolves will host the Humboldt Broncos. They will play the Broncos again at home on Friday, before hosting the Yorkton Terriers on Saturday. All three games have a 7:30 p.m. start time.

The Broncos are currently third in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with 15 wins and eight losses for 33 points. They have come up against the Ice Wolves twice this season and won both times, most recently blanking the Ice Wolves 7-0 during the annual SJHL Showcase in Warman.

“We have to make sure we keep the play in front of us. We have to make sure we don’t have any odd man rushes. We have to eliminate our turn overs,” Kaminski said.

“These guys have good speed and skill and can make you pay. We have to give up nothing for free tonight. We’ve got to make them earn it. We have to play hard and physical against them, but yet disciplined and smart hockey.”

award winners

SMVS collects 23 medals at PAGC Fine Arts Festival

Apr 29, 2024

events

Council awards $10,000 in community grants

Apr 29, 2024

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

Apr 26, 2024

Kaminski explained he wants the Ice Wolves, which are currently 11^th in the league with 18 losses and seven wins for 17 points, to be in playoff contention before the Christmas break. The Ice Wolves have six home games in a row leading up to the final game of 2023 on Dec. 16 against the Flin Flon Bombers.

“Starting off tonight, it’s the biggest weekend of the year here,” he said. “We’ve got to get some wins and we got to keep climbing the ladder like we did last weekend.”

Also this week, Parker Layton was recognized by the SJHL with Defenseman of the Week. In his last 25 games, Layton has earned seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points. He also has a total of 46 penalty minutes.

“Parker is really playing some good hockey right now,” Kaminski said.

“He’s making good decisions with the puck and seeing the ice well with good vision. His defensive game is much better, so he’s obviously well-earned Defenseman of the Week and we need him. He’s a 20-year-old and we need him going this weekend as well.”

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com