Redwings edge Miners 7-4 in season opener

EAGLE STAFF

The Rosetown Redwings were 1-0 heading into Luseland last Friday night.

The Redwings, who defeated the Unity Miners 7-4 in Unity on Oct. 31, play the Dodsland Stars in Kerrobert this Friday and host the Kindersley Kodiaks on Saturday.

Jared Jagow got a hat trick and an assist, and team captain Jordan Johnston scored twice and helped set up three others in Unity. Eric Robbie got a goal and two assists. Kane Dubé also tallied, while Avery Ironside had two assists.

Devon Bertoia scored twice for the Miners.

Noah Martens made 39 saves in the Redwing net. Ryan Rewerts stopped 30 shots for Unity.

“It was a good game,” said coach Curtis MacDonald.

The Redwings were down 2-1 after the first period, “came back” in the second and “held them off” in the third, said MacDonald.

It was the first game of the season for many Redwings and likely also for some of the Miners, he said. “We were a little rusty.”

The only thing marring it from a Redwing perspective is that defenceman Tommy Lloyd probably broke his collarbone in the game and will be out for a while.

Aside from the injury, “the guys all played pretty well. We were able to go there and get it done,” said Johnston.

As for Lloyd’s absence, the team has “lots of bodies and, hopefully, somebody will be available… and just keep rolling,” said Johnston.

The roster has 28 players, though they can only dress 19-20 each game, said MacDonald.

The Stars defeated the Luseland Mallards 9-1 in Kerrobert on Nov. 1. Brandon Kelly notched three goals and an assist, and Carson Dobson also got a hat trick.

Former Redwing goalie Conner Kidd made 16 saves for the Stars, while Mallard counterpart Sam Walz turned back 43 shots.