Confident Canucks Split Doubleheader With Yorkton

There was two words to describe the Moose Jaw 15U AAA Canucks on Sunday - improved and confident.

Improved over their last couple of outings and confident to hang in there with a more experienced opponent.

In the end the Canucks split a double header with the visiting Yorkton Cardinals.

The Canucks won Game One 15 - 10 and they lost Game Two 14 - 8.

A Canucks player winds up - MJ Independent photo

Game One

Moose Jaw 15 - Yorkton 10

Game One of the double hitter saw a revitalized Canucks take to the field. The team looked sharp.

“The boys came ready to play. They were engaged in the game right from the get go. We had some timely hitting. We made some defensive plays. We limited our errors. It was a good all round ball game,” head coach Rodney Audette said.

Game Two

Moose Jaw 8 - Yorkton 14

Despite a six run loss the score is in no way indicative of how well the Canucks played.

After taking a supper break, where it is highly likely their parents force fed them a diet heavy in spinach, the Canucks came out fired up and Popeye strong for game two.

The Canucks made some smart heads up plays both offensively and defensively ahead of their ages.

A smart heads up play came when the Canucks tried to make a double play but the lead Yorkton base runner was in the way. The play was not attempted as there was a strong chance of a pass ball.

“I don’t think there was anything too negative (in the second game). I think we hit the ball not bad. We made some defensive plays,” Audette said.

“They hit more balls us was the end result.”

A foul ball almost off of the knuckles - MJ Independent photo

Asked about the team being more confident he said you could see it “the boys were more confident. They were chatting and getting right into it.”

The bench was alive while watching their teammates.

The team was more communicative then they have been in the past.

“There was a lot of positives today,” he said.

“There was a lot of small things that were good tonight. There was effort defensively. There was two guys trying to make a play and there was a lot of talk and communication going on. It’s good,” Audette said.

Development wise the Canucks continue to improve.

“I’m more than happy. I think we’re taking steps in the right direction. I think we are going to see these kids very engaged. We had two very good practices and they’ve come to work.”

A Canucks player trots into home - MJ Independent photo

The Canucks next game is away at Yorkton to take on the Cardinals on Wednesday the 27th at 6 pm.