The Melville Millionaires forced a game seven on Saturday night with a 5-1 win over the Weyburn Red Wings in front of close to 1900 fans at Horizon Credit Union Centre.
1900 for a team facing elimination. Yorkton could learn something here.
I've only seen two games in this series (game four Melville double OT win was the other), so I'm not really qualified to comment on the series as a whole.
Tonight, Weyburn looked tired. And, so they should.with key forwards Jack Kennelly and Miguel Pereira on the shelf. They don't strike me as a team (from the two games I saw) that wants to roll four lines as it is, so those two players being out is huge. Goalie Mitch Kilgore was also out for a second straight game with an unknown injury that the media has speculated occurred in the pregame warm-up of game five. Kilgore's replacement, Brett Teskey, made some fine stops tonight but an error in judgement to come out and play a loose puck with the Wings on a second period powerplay was the marker that put the Mils ahead by two and the home team seemed to take over after that. You never sensed Weyburn was on the brink of launching a quick comeback like they have in two other games this series. Tough call in game seven. How healthy does Kilgore need to be in order to play in such a big game? And, to me, Teskey has played well enough they should be confident in him.
The Mils are banged up on defense with Brett Kipling and Tyson Newell out; but their forwards are at full strength. I liked Colby Williams tonight and I always feel as though John Stechyshyn gives them such quality minutes whenever they need to lighten the load on Lee Christensen and Tyler Bird. I can't believe the multitude of penalties they take hasn't cost them more. Eight more minors tonight on top of an already league leading 248 penalty minutes for the postseason (updated total is 274). Battlefords is second at 208 and they've played one more games.
Ian McNulty-Jesse Mireau-and whoever Jamie Fiesel puts with them (Kilback, Trudeau, Aschim) have been better than Jesse Ross-Coltyn Sanderson-Keegan Bruce in the two games I've witnessed and that's also a big difference. Jordan Hoffman, on the other hand, is a threat. The Wings need to figure out how to get more out of his line.
The best game I've seen Blake Voth play in the playoffs was tonight. He didn't have to be great; but each save was made with confidence and he didn't give many rebounds at all.
Just a reminder we will be broadcasting the Canalta Cup final live from game one through the end of the series starting on Friday on Access 7. A few days ago I would've proclaimed Humboldt as the place the series will start, but Battlefords is trying to do something special as they have forced game six at the Civic Centre tomorrow night. Wish I could see that.
Mills played like a team that really wanted the championship. They need to stay out of the penalty box on Tuesday. The crowds have been great and one thing Melville has is that their fans our behind them 110%; no matter what happens Tuesday night we are still your fans. You have done a great job in playoffs thus far and we commend you on this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous comment - We are their fans NO MATTER WHAT! At the end of the day, there are two great teas on that ice. The Mills have done amazing and they deserve us all standing with them and behind them, no matter what. They are such a great group of boys and I am very honoured to be a part of such a great club.
ReplyDeleteI've borrowed a tag line from the Olympics that is very suiting to us this year - "We believe.... do you believe?!" We can do this boys!
LETS GO MILLS!
We believe! After a season of challenges - injuries, questions about character and focus - the Mils have come together. Not sure my heart can cope with another tight game but talk about the games being worth the price of admission. Looking forward to game seven. All the best to the Mils. Go Mils Go.
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