Doug Falconer:
Emery, you came out of the weekend with a split against a strong Kindersley team. From a coaching and management perspective, what did you like about your group’s response, and where do you still want to see improvement?
Emery Olauson:
In our last stretch we’ve only dropped a couple of games, so it’s less about consistency and more about continued growth. After a loss, especially the most recent one, you always look at what could have been done better. The underlying numbers showed we did a lot right — we generated 60 shots and allowed just 26. That’s strong team defense and puck possession. Where we left opportunities was in finishing around the net and staying locked in for the full game. We had a stretch where we let momentum swing and one period ended up costing us. The lesson is simple: you have to play a full 60 minutes. You can’t give a good team a window and expect to get away with it.
Doug Falconer:
Rookie forward Ryder McDonald continues to show offensive flashes. What have you seen from his game lately, especially confidence-wise?
Emery Olauson:
He’s finally being rewarded for the work he’s put in all season. We believed he was a top-six forward from the start, but the production wasn’t there early. What never changed was his work ethic. He’s first on the ice, last off, and committed to improving every day. Now you’re seeing that translate offensively. He’s already one of our best penalty killers and a trusted player in key situations. When you combine that with growing offensive confidence, it makes him a very valuable player.
Doug Falconer:
You’re back in action Wednesday in Estevan. What are the priorities in a quick turnaround like this?
Emery Olauson:
Our mindset stays the same — we want a consistent, complete effort. You don’t win a game in the first few minutes, but you can put yourself in a hole, so it’s about being prepared and disciplined right from puck drop. Estevan is a strong team we’ve recently moved ahead of in the standings, so it’s an important opportunity. Road games like this are chances to add points, protect our position, and keep pushing toward the top of the division.
Doug Falconer:
Then it’s Battlefords on Saturday, another top team. How important is this stretch in evaluating your group?
Emery Olauson:
It’s significant. We see ourselves as a top-four team and want to secure that position for playoff seeding and home games. To do that, we have to compete hard against the league’s best — teams like Weyburn, Nipawin, Battlefords, and Flin Flon. We’ve had success against some of them recently, and Saturday is another big test. It’s two strong, in-form teams going head-to-head, and that’s the kind of game that shows where you truly stand.
