‘Slept on all year’: Weyburn Red Wings embracing underdog title in SJHL final

A Weyburn Red Wings player can be seen on the ice during a team practice. (Donovan Maess / CTV News) (Donovan Maess)

The Weyburn Red Wings say they are more than okay with being labeled the underdogs in this year’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) final.

“There was a lot of people [who] said we were underdogs [against Battleford],” Head Coach Cody Mapes told CTV News Thursday. “Everybody said we were underdogs against Flin Flon. Now everyone’s saying we are underdogs against Melfort.”

“And that’s fine,” he added.

“We’ve been slept on all year,” forward Jerome Maharaj said. “We’ve always been the underdog, but I think we’ve always just stuck to our game and worried about [us]. We never worry about anyone else, and it’s brought us success.”

The Red Wings earned their spot in the Canterra Seeds Cup by beating the Flin Flon Bombers via a Game 6 overtime goal from Josh Sale.

“It was honestly a little surreal,” Sale said. “I blacked out a bit. But it is exciting to [go to a final] with this group.”

It has been anything but a normal year for this year’s Weyburn Red Wings.

In December, the team was forced to play games in Assiniboia due to an ammonia leak at their home arena.

“We’ve hit a few bumps,” Mapes joked. “It was seen as adversity to start. But the way we were treated [in Assiniboia] really allowed our group to take a step to another level.”

Mapes said the adversity has brought his group together, calling this version of the Red Wings the “tightest group” he’s had since taking over as head coach four seasons ago.

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That camaraderie has translated to great success.

“When things get hard in the playoffs, guys are there for each other,” Mapes said. “Guys have stepped up when they need to and picked each other up. It’s a huge reason for our success.”

The Red Wings have also been stellar on the road these playoffs.

In 12 games – six at home, six on the road – Weyburn has won five away from Crescent Point Place, losing just once.

While they have split the six home games with three wins and three losses.

“These guys love being on the bus,” Mapes said. “They love being together. They are very tight in that sense.”

“I love coming to the rink everyday,” Sale said. “Everyone gets along and it really translates towards the ice.”

Now they face their toughest challenge yet in the Mustangs who are looking for their second-straight SJHL title.

“They’ve had a ton of success over the last 18 months,” Mapes said. “They are big, they’re fast and they compete hard. They know how to win.”

“But we’re excited for the opportunity that presents itself here,” he added.

The team says matching their opponents’ work ethic will be critical to have a chance to lift a trophy at the end of the series.

“We have to match their speed,” Sale said. “We know we can play with the best.”

“Everyone in the room knows what we can do as a group,” said Maharaj. “We just have to take it one game at a time and worry about the present.”

The SJHL’s Canterra Seeds Cup gets underway with Game 1 in Melfort on Saturday night.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 is also in Melfort on Sunday.

The series will turn to Weyburn for Game 3 on Wednesday night.