Kinistino Arena (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Hockey Week in Kinistino

Tigers cap off weekday games with win at home

Jan 19, 2024 | 12:00 PM

The U18 Kinistino Tigers gave their fans something to cheer about as weekday hockey action came to an end for the community’s provincial celebration.

In a lead-up to Hockey Day in Saskatchewan in Kinistino, the town hosted three weeknight games so every hockey team in their area was able to be a part of the event.

“The boys played well, we had a few chances and didn’t capitalize, but that’s the way the game goes sometimes,” explained Kinistino head coach, Blair MacGillivray. “It was a nice game and a good experience for the kids.”

On Thursday night, it was the Tigers who took the 4-0 victory over the Carrot River Loggers.

The matchup marked the first of six Kinistino teams to play this week, as five other teams will be involved this weekend.

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“The boys were a little amped up and I think they were a little nervous as well,” MacGillivray added. “They probably never played underneath that many people in the stands, so I think that’s why the outcome was what it was.”

One Kinistino player who had even more stake in the night was Tayshaun Cardinal.

Cardinal suited up for his last career minor hockey game, as he’s set for surgery right away to repair his ACL he tore back in May.

“To be honest I don’t even know how I played, I have a knee brace under all my padding and I guess I’ve just been kind of taking it easy,” he told northeastNOW.

“It was kind of the perfect way to end my year, although, of course, I wish I was still able to help the boys in trying to hang another banner.”

For the fans in the stands, they are now 1 and 2 on the week in cheering for the home favourite, as the North East Aces and Carrot River Outback Thunder fell to Prince Albert teams on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to Cardinal, they were clearly vying for a win, as it was the largest and loudest crowd he’d ever seen.

“It definitely was a tougher crowd than usual, but it’s always great to see them out there… it was pretty good to be a part of that and it seems like Kinistino has been doing pretty well as a crowd so far during this week.”

Friday will mark the only day of the celebration with no hockey on the docket, as a banquet and cabaret are scheduled for later in the evening.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8