By Derek Cornet

Nearly 1,000 fans attend La Ronge Ice Wolves home opener

Sep 15, 2018 | 1:07 PM

Nearly 1,000 fans showed their support Friday for the La Ronge Ice Wolves by attending the team’s home opener against the Flin Flon Bombers.

“There was a lot of energy from the fans and it was nice to see everybody out,” head coach Evan Vossen said in an interview with larongeNOW following the game. “It would have been nice to see a better outcome, but I thought, for the most part, we played a pretty complete game, except for the fact we spent too much time in the penalty box.”

The event at the Mel Hegland Uniplex began with the introduction of new and returning players, as well as a moment of silence to remember those affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in April. Vossen noted all Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams are paying their respects to start the season, adding there’s a new banner hanging in the Uniplex in honour of the tragedy.

Mitch Zambon knocked one in in the first period to tie the game 1-1, but the team then racked up 21 penalty minutes in the second, including 10 minutes for game misconduct and five minutes for a major fight. While two goals were scored by the Wolves (Zambon and Antonio Di Paolo) during the period, the Bombers were able to secure three and take the lead. 

Vossen said having to kill a seven-minute power play in the second period affected the team’s momentum.

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“We had guys using extra energy and we’d rather have them in more of an offensive capacity,” he said.

With one goal by Zach Bannister in third, the Ice Wolves weren’t able to rebound as the Bombers scored three more times to win 7-4. The Wolves, however, are on the road today to Flin Flon for back-to-back action and will look for a better outcome.

“We have to make sure we’re staying out of the penalty box as much as we can,” Vossen said. “We need to have more awareness on the ice, especially in our own zone.”

The Ice Wolves next home game is set for Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. against the Battlefords North Stars.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno