Photo by Marissa Tiel
READY TO PLAY 鈥� The Kelowna Sparta鈥檚 Logan Isley approaches the Whitehorse Huskies net in this October 2016 file photo. The Huskies will take on the Kainai Braves this weekend, for their third series of the season, which will qualify them to compete in the Coy Cup. Both games will be at Takhini Arena. Puck drop is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
If everything goes according to coach Michael Tuton鈥檚 plan this weekend,
If everything goes according to coach Michael Tuton鈥檚 plan this weekend, the Nuway Crushing Whitehorse Huskies will be on their way to the Coy Cup with a winning record.
The Huskies are set to host the Kainai Braves for a series of two exhibition games this weekend.
鈥淭his is a pretty crucial series for us,鈥� said Tuton. 鈥淚t leaves us on the up and up for the Coy (Cup).鈥�
The Braves, which play in southern Alberta鈥檚 senior AA鈥圧anchlands Hockey League and the Huskies have yet to meet in action.
The Braves are currently third in their league. Based out of Stand Off, southwest of Lethbridge, the team is made up of skaters from the Blood Reserve who have been playing together off and on since their minor hockey days.
Braves assistant manager and self-described utility player Jeremy Weasel Moccasin said the team plays a physical game.
鈥淲e play a little more of a rougher game,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e love the crash and bang.鈥�
He said the team has some skilled players as well, but that they like to hit a lot. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just the style down here,鈥� he said.
Moccasin first met Tuton during the Yukon Indian Hockey Association鈥檚 annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament a few years back. They kept in touch and earlier this season Moccasin inquired about bringing his team up to test themselves against Tuton鈥檚 Huskies.
With B.C. Hockey鈥檚 minimum six-game Jan. 10 deadline staring them down, the Huskies took them up on the offer, bringing the team up this weekend.
While the two games will count towards the Huskies鈥� mandatory six needed to compete in the Coy Cup, they won鈥檛 affect the Braves鈥� league standings. Instead, the team will gain more experience against a team they have yet to face.
鈥淲e just like to see how our team compares to other leagues,鈥� said Moccasin.
He said their first line will be one to watch this weekend.
The Braves won their last game on Dec. 17 against the Pilkani Regulators.
The Huskies will be down a few more players this weekend as Jared Tuton remains on the injured reserves list while J.J. Gainsforth and Kale Dawe are out of town for school.
Jon Olthuis will be back between the pipes for the Huskies. The goalie will fly up from his home in Canmore for the weekend series.
The team will likely rely on their speed and puck handling, but coach Tuton said they have a proven track record of adjusting their style to whatever is being thrown at them on the ice.
鈥淲hen it comes to crash and bang my boys are ready to respond,鈥� he said.
The Huskies won their first series against Alberta鈥檚 Bonnyville Senior Pontiacs 2-0 in October and split their series against B.C鈥檚 new Kelowna Sparta in November.
Both games will take place at Takhini Arena. Saturday鈥檚 puck drop is at 3:30 p.m. while Sunday鈥檚 game begins at 5 p.m.
Kids wearing minor hockey jerseys get in for free.
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