Redwings set to clinch playoff berth as February begins

By David McIver

The senior Rosetown Redwings should get into the playoffs as February starts, according to their coach.

Going into their last regular-season game on Saturday night, the Redwings had 18 points on nine wins and two losses. They had that game in hand on the Unity Miners, who also had 18 points but had finished their schedule.

The Redwings were to travel to Kerrobert last Saturday to play the Tigers. That was also the last regular-season game in the entire league schedule.

The Redwings went into Saturday’s game on the heels of an upset loss. The Kodiaks beat them 4-1 in Kindersley on Jan. 18.

League playoff dates will be decided with the conclusion of the regular season, said Redwings coach Curtis MacDonald on Thursday.

Dates in the Redwings’ provincial senior C playoff series with the Outlook Ice Hawks also had to be determined, he said.

That series has to be completed by March 9. One reason for the late date would seem to be because the senior C playoffs have only six teams.

The Redwings–Ice Hawks series is the northern final.

Two series make up the south side of the C playoffs: the Craik Warriors versus the Wapella Blackhawks, and the Shaunavon Badgers versus the Assiniboia Rebels. Both series must be completed by Feb. 23.

Grady Ostrom scored for the Redwings in Kindersley, with the assist going to Morgan Sparks.

Christian Vogel, Jayden Holland, Tyler Benjaminson and Calvin Feader scored the Kodiaks’ goals.

Jon Kampen made 32 saves in the Redwings’ net. Kindersley counterpart Kaden Elliott stopped 24 Redwings shots.

The Redwings iced 14 skaters, but were without captain Jordy Johnston and Jared Jagow, their first- and third-leading scorers, respectively.

The team is uninjured “for the most part,” said MacDonald.

“Once we get into the playoffs, we’ll make it work with the schedules and go hard at it,” he said.