The Neepawa Natives finished up the four game season series with the powerhouse Selkirk Steelers, with a 5-3 victory and the winning edge on the season series.

 

The Natives lost only once in regulation against the Selkirk squad - last week, in a game where The Natives outshot them 50-20 but lost 4-1.

 

On this night, The Natives threw almost 50 shots at Joey Rewucki again, and held the talented goalie's club to only 19 shots against.

 

Described on air by Big FM's broadcaster Ray Walker as "relentless" and by Steelers' coach Ryan Smith as "a tight knit group that goes hard a hundred percent of the time," The Natives were reportedly a team deserving of the victory.

 

When informed of the praise that Walker and Smith had for his group, Natives' coach Bryant Perrier said he appreciated the kind words, and that the performance was a real "character win."

 

The Natives, who have won three of their last four games, were coming off a lop sided loss to Dauphin - a fact Coach Perrier believes was already gone from his team's thoughts.

 

"We had hoped that the loss would be a 'one off' and would be something we moved on from," he said. "Obviously, it was. We were fresh, with tons of energy and we played a really good game."

 

With The Natives' remarkable third period record (21 wins and 1 loss when leading in the third), Perrier said Selkirk's three goal third period was something he will focus on.

 

"We pride ourselves on being great defensively in the third. We want to do everything we can to make sure that we hold our bar high. We will get at the heart of each goal and why it was scored."

 

The Natives are idle until Tuesday, when they will host Portage.

 

The Natives have won 4 of the first 7 to date.

 

As for taking the season series with Selkirk, Perrier says his club is thrilled.

 

"Obviously, when you think MJHL, you think Selkirk Steelers. Even when I was a kid, that was the team you hear about. For us to win a season series with them is very good for our program. I am not a pessimist, but if you would have told me we'd get five of eight points, I would have been really happy."

 

"As a newcomer to the league, I will admit there was some mystique there. It feels good to break that down."