Fears of the COVID-19 pandemic led the Parkland Rangers to playing just one game this past weekend, a 7-5 loss to the Winnipeg Bruins, Friday night in Dauphin.

The two teams were scheduled to play again Saturday afternoon, but the Bruins asked to postpone the game because they did not want to stay overnight in a hotel or eat in any restaurants because of the recent surge in COVID cases. And the league granted their request.

Hayden Moore and Rhett Marchant led Winnipeg with a goal and two assists, while Jonas Woo added three assists.

Lucas Gillson, Liam Saxberg, Miguel Bouvier, Nathan Brown and Matt Renville into an empty net, also scored for the Bruins.

Rylan Gibbs scored twice to lead Parkland. Matthew Munro, Hayden Seib and Jayce Legaarden had the other Rangers goals.

Dimitri Fortin made 24 saves to earn the win for Winnipeg.

Brenden Birch-Hayden started for Parkland and stopped 22 shots of 27 before giving way to Kyler Swanton, who was tagged with the loss after stopping 16 of 17 shots he faced.

Rangers head coach Tyler Carefoot spoke to his team before the game about having energy and being efficient.

“And I’m not sure in the first period we had either. I thought our first period and our second was just super sloppy. Turnovers all over the ice,” he said. “Did we peak too early? I’m starting to doubt myself. And I don’t think we did. But it’s hard to be efficient. It’s hard to work hard. We’re jockeying for playoff position. It’s cliché, but you just can’t take a shift off. And you can’t turn the puck over.”

Not only were players trying to do too much on their own, they were trying fancy plays that simply did not work.

“We went back to being individuals. We went back to playing like we were in October or November and we just got away from doing the simple fundamental things,” Carefoot said. “I know these guys are probably tired of hearing it, but it doesn’t matter what level of hockey you play, the language is the same. And we totally got off track.”

What bothers Carefoot the most about Friday’s loss was the lack of efficiency and lack of responsibility.

“And all the details and fundamentals that we talk about and focus on. We just disregarded that whole plan and that’s what’s most frustrating tonight,” he said.

The Rangers were much better in the third and their never-quit attitude gave them a chance to win, pulling to within a goal at 6-5 with 6:23 left.

Tuesday’s home game against the Southwest Cougars has been postponed because of COVID.

Parkland’s next games are Jan. 22 and 23 in Morden against the Pembina Valley Hawks.

With the surge in COVID cases, Carefoot told his players to stay healthy and put themselves in good spots.

“Who knows what’s going to happen through next week. Worst case is, we could be making up those games, too. It’s just super frustrating right now,” he said.