Female AAA Midget Wildcats pushed by Melville Prairie Fire

It did not come easy for the league leading Swift Current Diamond Energy AAA Midget Wildcats, but they managed to take three of a possible four points from the visiting Melville Prairie Fire over the weekend.

Saturday the Wildcats got off to a slow start falling behind 2-0 early but were able to erase the deficit before the end of the first period on goals from the Brittneys - Erlandson and Redlick that is. From there the goaltenders took over as the game remained scoreless through the final 50 minutes of play including the 10-minute overtime period. Kaitlyn Marchand added the lone assist for the Wildcats.

Chelsie Lowe was solid for the Wildcats with 22 saves as her season record moved to 10-1-1 with a 2.16 goals against average. Leanne Gerwing turned aside 32 shots for the Prairie Fire.

Sunday the Wildcats scored three second period goals on their way to a 3-1 win backstopped by Michala Jeffries' 21 saves on her way to a 9-0-1 record and a league leading 1.20 GAA despite having her shutout bid ruined by Jordon Brennan with only 46 seconds remaining.

Shelby Nisbet and Bailey Habscheid found the net on the powerplay, while Jenna Smith scored at even strength. Brienna Gillanders picked up a pair of helpers followed by singles from Nisbet and Sara Greschner.

Nisbet, who now has 12 goals in 22 games, explained the difference between her team's performances in the two games.

"Today we played pretty much sixty minutes, we battled hard every shift and never gave up, and we had more chances then we did yesterday."

With a 19-1-2-0 record the Wildcats have locked up top spot in the SFMAAAHL and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Heading into the playoffs Nisbet says that the team has a few areas that they can improve on.

"Just consistency and trying communicate more and trying to stay positive throughout the entire game."

The Wildcats finished the contest Sunday with a pair of powerplay goals and Pavely said that will be an area of importance in the coming weeks.

"The powerplay is one area that we are really going to have to be focused on. We found last year at times that in the final series their (Notre Dame's) powerplay was really good and ours wasn't and that was the difference in the playoffs."

This weekend Wildcats will begin winding down their regular season schedule with three games in as many days on home ice beginning Friday when the Regina Rebels (14-8-2-1) visit Fairview Arena at 8 p.m.

Saturday the Wildcats will host the Saskatoon Stars (5-16-2-1) at 7:45 p.m. at Fairview followed by a 1 p.m. meeting on Sunday.

smah@swbooster.com