Kevin “Killer”Kaminski and the La Ronge Ice Wolves wrapped up their five game road trip with a homecoming of sorts. Ice Wolves head coach and general manager hails from Churchbridge, Saskatchewan the site of their game on Saturday November second game against the Yorkton Terriers. A near capacity crowd was on hand at the Kaminski Arena to witness Kaminski’s return home.
Graham Brown got the start for the Ice Wolves, he went up against Ethan Farrow of the Terriers. Both goaltenders put on a spectacular display of puck stopping and the game remained scoreless until the 13:21 mark of the first period. Keenan Ingram put the Terriers up 1-0 with a power play goal. Then before the period was out Dimitri Toporowski found the back of the net to even up the contest at a goal apiece after 20 minutes.
In the second period each team had several quality scoring chances, but no one could break the deadlock and it remained 1-1 until the dying seconds of the middle frame. Aiden Knutsen put the Terriers ahead 2-1 with just seven seconds remaining, sending Yorkton to the dressing room with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Two minutes 14 seconds into the third period Keenan Ingram scored his second power play goal of the evening to increase the Terrier lead to 3-1. Moments later Taite Donkin put the Ice Wolves within one when he scored a highlight reel goal. The Ice Wolves battled hard to try and tie the game but Quinn Schutte scored into an empty net with 11 seconds remaining in the third period to give him his first goal of the season and the Terriers a 4-2 win.
After the game Kaminski took the time to take pictures and sign autographs before boarding the team bus for the 675 km trek back to La Ronge. He was very appreciative to be back in his hometown “It’s always special to come back home, I got to visit with a lot of buddies for a little bit, the crowd was awesome!” Kaminski says, “This rink brings back so many memories with provincial and tournament championships, coming home is special.”
Kaminski began his professional hockey career in the 1988-1989 season and played professionally until 1999-2000. Kaminski has been coaching since the 2000-2001 season and has been the general manager/head coach of the Ice Wolves since 2017. After all of Kaminskis successes and experiences he could easily have an enlarged ego but he remains humble and has never forgotten his roots. “It has a lot to do with mom and dad, brother, sister. They have done a lot for the rink and hockey in this community. It is truly an honour to have your name on the rink. I am very thankful, very blessed to be a part of this community.”
Next action for the Ice Wolves is on Friday night back at home in La Ronge for a date with the Notre Dame Hounds.