Slow Start Pulls 18U AA in Provincials (Copy)
A poor start became the anchor that helped drown the Moose Jaw 18U AA Canucks as they lost 15 - 3 to the Prince Albert Padres in Tier Two provincial playoffs.
It’s an anchor that has dogged the Canucks throughout the 2026 season.
For the Canucks it’s their first loss in the three games they’re guaranteed in the round robin tournament. The tournament is taking place in Moose Jaw Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The loss puts the Canucks in the position of needing to win their next two games if they have any hope of being crowned provincial champions.
Moose Jaw Canucks’ Van Glasser (right) is safe at second base - MJ Independent photo
“It’s always the first inning that seems to get us and that’s what we told the boys in the post game meeting,” Canucks head coach Curtis Novak, adding “we just have to look to tomorrow and hope for (a better start) and a win.”
The poor start has anchored the Canucks speed boat down preventing a few speedier wind down in 2026.
Asked about the strength of the Padres Novak said it made a difference especially in the area of pitching.
Rylan was one of four pitchers used by the Canucks during the game - MJ Independent photo
“PA has got a strong team. They’ve got some strong pitching. When we hit the ball we hit some decent ones but we weren’t hitting holes. Fly balls we’re hanging up there and we were just out,” he said.
The Canucks did connect well with the ball but too often it went directly to a Padres fielder.
“We hit the ball well but as I said just right at them. We need to have the baseball gods give us some breaks here.
The Canucks had some strong initiative from batters beating out the play at first base or grabbing a double. The problem lay in converting the hustling base running into actual runs.
The Canucks’ Carter Stewart beats out the play to be safe on first base - MJ Independent photo
The loss puts the Canucks in an unenviable must win of their next two games to have a chance of making a medal game.
“They’re a couple of must wins here but I think we’ve got a couple of better chances of winning them. Eve got to come out mentally on top. These guys have got to shake off making errors.”
Whether they can do so will be decided on Saturday.
Canucks first baseman Daymond Baxter - MJ Independent photo
The Canucks face the White Butte Broncos at 11:30 am at Ross Wells Park and then at 5:30 pm they face the Regina White Sox also at Ross Wells Park.
