The Tisdale Trojans (pink and white) hanging on to a late 3-2 lead against the Yorkton Maulers (black and orange), including former teammates and Tisdale natives Blake Samida (second left) and Connor Hvidston (right). (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

SWEET VICTORY

Trojans hang on to defeat Maulers 4-2

Oct 19, 2019 | 2:00 PM

For 40 minutes, the Tisdale Trojans’ game against the Yorkton Secon Maulers at the RECplex on Oct.18 felt like an average match-up in the 44-game Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) schedule.

Both squads traded shots, didn’t have too many high danger scoring chances, and didn’t possess the puck for extended periods of time.

Still, the Trojans found themselves ahead 3-0 after two periods. Rookie forward Carter Briltz tipped in center Trenton Curtis’ shot for his first career SMAAAHL goal, forward Mackenzie Carson stole a puck from the Maulers blue line and leaned into a slap shot, and forward Mario Fortier tapped in a hard pass from rookie forward Kylynn Olafson.

The intensity went from zero to 100 quickly after Maulers forward Carter Dererniwsky scored a power play goal less than three minutes into the third period. His goal was set up by a Tisdale native and former Trojan defenceman Blake Samida.

The Maulers struck again when forward Blake Duquette scored off an offensive zone faceoff and made it a 3-2 game with over 12 minutes to play.

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From there, Trojans goaltender Boston Gelowitz had no margin for error in his fourth start. Every save from that point was a game saver, none more crucial than a sprawling stop off Tisdale native and former Trojan Connor Hvidston with under six minutes to play.

Tisdale Trojans goaltender Boston Gelowitz moments prior to a game-saving sprawling stop against Maulers forward Connor Hvidston. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

Carson scored his second goal of the evening into an empty net to secure the Trojans a 4-2 win; their second in a row.

“To be honest, me getting an empty net goal is probably harder than scoring on a goalie,” Carson told northeastNOW. “When you’re coming down, nerves are high and you grip your stick a little bit tighter. I knew that was an insurance goal and got the game secured up, so I was pretty pumped about that going into the weekend.”

Tisdale Trojans forward Mackenzie Carson (pink and white far right) celebrates with his teammates after his empty net goal sealed their victory. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

The Trojans, who now sit with a 4-6-0-1 record, will take the two points against the last-place Maulers.

However, Head Coach Dennis Kubat admitted how unhappy he was with the Trojans’ third period.

“It’s a win… we have a lot of work to do,” Kubat briefly said post-game.

Two nights prior, the Trojans had a similar scenario when hosting one of the SMAAAHL’s best teams the Saskatoon Contacts. The Trojans held a 3-0 lead after two periods and didn’t surrender their three-goal lead, eventually winning 5-1.

Kubat said the difference between the two games were his players’ emotion level and taking the Maulers lightly.

“Some guys have got to realize that it doesn’t matter who you play,” he said. “Anyone can beat anyone in this league, it doesn’t matter what your record is. You’ve got to come battle and be a pro every night. It doesn’t matter who you play. Just go out and do your job.”

After playing a league-high 11 games to start the season, the Trojans will get a 10-day break in between games. Kubat said he and the coaching staff will target three or four areas the Trojans need to work on and hammer them home prior to their Oct. 29 road game in Saskatoon against the Contacts.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Trojans, Carter Briltz (1) from Trenton Curtis (8), 19:15

Second Period

2-0, Trojans, Mackenzie Carson (7) from Carter Briltz (4) and Rylan Donald (4), 16:44

3-0, Trojans, Mario Fortier (5) from Kylynn Olafson (2) and Noah Wills (5), 16:59

Third Period

3-1, Maulers, Carter Dereniwsky (2) from Blake Samida (2) and Blake Duqeette (3), 2:21 (PPG)

3-2, Maulers, Blake Duquette (5) from Carter Dereniwsky (1), 7:46

4-2, Trojans, Mackenzie Carson 2 (8), 19:39 (EN)

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow