The Yellowhead Chiefs played two road games this past week, highlighted by Captain Alec Strachan’s 100th career AAA U18 appearance, a major milestone for the veteran leader. While the weekend began with a lopsided loss in Winnipeg, the team rebounded in strong fashion the following day to grab two points in overtime.
Saturday, November 1 — Wild 10, Chiefs 0
The Chiefs ran into a powerhouse opponent in the Winnipeg Wild, who currently sit second in the league standings. The Wild controlled the game from start to finish, scoring three times in each period to secure a 10–0 win.
Yellowhead goaltender Sawyer Wallin faced a heavy workload, turning aside 35 of 45 shots. The Chiefs generated a handful of chances but were shut out by Winnipeg netminder Chase Kettles, who earned the 18-save shutout.
Despite the score, the game served as a learning moment for a young Chiefs roster, emphasizing the pace and discipline required to compete with the league’s top teams.
Sunday, November 2 — Chiefs 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
A day later in Teulon, the Chiefs showed their resilience, grinding out a hard-fought 3–2 overtime win against the Interlake Lightning.
After a scoreless opening frame, Nolan Kozak broke through late in the second period, setting up McNish to bury his seventh of the season. The Lightning tied it before the break and briefly took the lead in the third, but McNish struck again midway through the period to even the score at 2–2 off another Kozak feed.
The game-winner came early in overtime when Winston Lepp finished a beautiful setup from Kozak, sealing the victory and a well-deserved bounce-back for the Chiefs.
Up Next
The Chiefs (7–6–0–0) sit seventh in the Manitoba U18 AAA standings, firmly in the playoff mix as they approach the midway point of the schedule. They’ll return to Winnipeg next weekend for a pair of games against the league-leading Winnipeg Thrashers, Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8.
