The SJHL has been off the ice for about seven and a half months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but that layoff ended Thursday when the La Ronge Ice Wolves travelled to Flin Flon to open up the 2020-2021 Pre-Season. Hayden Clayton scored a pair of goals including the winner in overtime as the Bombers kicked off the exhibition with a 3-2 (OT) decision. Alex Bell made 48/51 saves in goal for La Ronge while Cal Schell picked up the win turning aside 27/29.
There were four pre-season games on Friday, when rookie Jacob Herman made 35 saves for the shutout, backstopping Yorkton to a 3-0 win in Melville. Ryan McCleary, another rookie Swift Current product like Herman, had a pair of goals in the win, while Melville’s Kaleb McEachern made 18/18 saves in half a game.
Jack Lenchyshyn scored in overtime as the Nipawin Hawks beat the Melfort Mustangs 3-2 (OT) at The Cage. Brodie Girod got the Hawks on the board and Christian Albertson also scored against his former club.
Mason Smith, Matthew Millette and Antoine St. Onge all had a goal and an assist as Estevan picked up a 6-3 win in Weyburn. Liam Rutten replied with a goal and an assist for the Red Wings.
Brett Sweet stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced as the Kindersley Klippers went to Battlefords and beat the North Stars 5-2. Ethan King scored a pair of goals for the Klippers while Dylan Esau and Tanner Klimpke found the net for the Stars.