The La Ronge Ice Wolves bounced back with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Nipawin Hawks Saturday night in their home opener.
“I thought we were way better defensively,” said Ice Wolves Asst. Coach Kyle Schneider. “We stuck to our game plan. We threw out last night and came in with a great attitude today.”
Topher Chirico was brilliant in the La Ronge net, making 46 saves for his first victory of the season. The Kansas product turned away all three Nipawin shooters in the shootout.
Meantime, Dylan Handel and Rylan Silzer had the goals in regulation for La Ronge, while Raine Hodge tallied in the skills competition.
“I thought we played well in the defensive zone, we blocked so many shots and chipped pucks out each time we had a chance,” said Chirico.
Damon Cunningham was strong in the Nipawin crease, turning away 46 shots in a losing cause. Braxton Buckberger and Chase Visser had the Nipawin markers Saturday.
The Ice Wolves will look for their second straight win next Friday night in Flin Flon when they take on the Bombers.