For the first time this season, the La Ronge Ice Wolves were shutout Saturday in North Battleford when they were pasted 7-0 by the North Stars.
The Ice Wolves started the game with a lot of energy, but that quickly evaporated when the North Stars found the back of the net three times in the opening stanza.
“We came out pretty strong out of the gates I think and then they got a couple goals. We just kind of backed right off and started playing by ourselves, not on the same page, not playing the game right,” said Ice Wolves Associate Coach Gaelan Patterson. “It was tough to watch. ”
Carson Reagan tallied twice for the Battlefords, while Matthew Fletcher, Austin Becker, Elijah Loon-Stewardson, Brett Gammer and Kaden Boser also scored.
La Ronge’s Liam McGarva got the start for the Ice Wolves. The Fort Saskatchewan, AB product allowed seven goals on 39 shots. At the other end of the ice, Parker Rey made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season.
With the loss, the Ice Wolves slipped to 7-11-2 on the season, which has them sitting in seventh in the SJHL standings. The Ice Wolves have now lost their last four games.
“We said it after we played them on Friday night, we can’t take any shifts off against these guys. They are just going to keep coming and they are going to take advantage of any mistakes we make,” said Ice Wolves Associate Coach Gaelan Patterson. “We gotta be on the ball for 60 minutes. That was the plan tonight and obviously, that fell through. ”
La Ronge will look to rebound next Friday at home when they host the Melville Millionaires for the first time this season. The puck is slated to drop at 7:30 p.m. from the Mel Hegland Uniplex. The Ice Wolves will close out their weekend next Saturday in Humboldt against the Broncos.
You can catch next Saturday’s battle on MBC Network Radio with Braden Malsbury.
(PHOTO: The Ice Wolves closed out their three-game swing with a tough loss in North Battleford Saturday. Photo by Braden Malsbury.)