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Senior hockey playoff and provincial previews

Mar 8, 2018 | 11:00 AM

Both the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League and Sask West Hockey League will begin their respective league finals this weekend, and three local senior teams are still alive in provincials.

Here’s a look at each schedule so far:

SPHL Final

Only the first two games of the best-of-three series between the Hafford Hawks and Meota Combines have been scheduled so far. Game one will take place Friday, March 9 in Hafford at 8:30 p.m., and game two is set for Sunday, March 11 at the North Battleford Civic Centre at 5:30 p.m.

This is a series between the top two teams in the regular season, with each of them scoring over 100 goals and surrendering fewer than 55 in 16 games. The clubs split the season series 1-1, with Meota winning 5-2 at home Jan. 12, and Hafford winning 5-2 at home Jan. 26.

Neither team has a player in the top 5 playoff scorers so far, with Kobe Kindrachuk tied for sixth with 14 points, and Brandon Lesko right behind with 13 points. Meota’s leading playoff scorers are Scott Manula and Sean Patrick, with nine points each.

SWHL Final

The Wilkie Outlaws went 19-1 in the regular season and finished first yet again, and they’ll start the final against Kindersley on the road.

Once again, only games one and two of this series have been set in stone so far, with game one in Kindersley Sun. March 11 at the West Central Events Centre at 7 p.m. Wilkie’s first home game will be played Wed. March 14 at 8:30 p.m. at the SaskCan Community Centre.

Right now, Outlaws Rory Gregoire and Brock Harrison are tied for the top spot the league in playoff scoring with 16 points apiece, despite the team having played just five games. Jonny Calkins and Jesse Ismond are tied for third in playoff scoring with 12 points, alongside Brett Harrison from Wilkie and Jarret Hillis from Macklin.

The Outlaws won both regular season head-to-head games against Kindersley, outscoring them 18-6 in those games.

Provincial ‘A’ Bracket – Wilkie

Before they begin their league final against the Red Lions, the Outlaws will play their first North Final provincial contest against the Prairie Outlaws.

Those teams go head-to-head March 9 in Waldheim at 8:30 p.m. Game two will be played in Wilkie Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m., and game three, if necessary, will go the next day in Waldheim at 6 p.m.

Last year, Wilkie took down the Prairie Outlaws in the second round of provincials, before getting past Kindersley in the North Final.

Provincial ‘C’ Bracket – Hafford

The Hafford Hawks are taking on the Drake Canucks in the ‘C’ division North Final, which begins tonight in Hafford at 8:30 p.m.

Game two is set for Friday, March 16 in Drake at 8 p.m. and game three, if necessary, will be played March 17 back in Hafford at 7 p.m.

Provincial ‘D’ Bracket – Edam

It will be a clash between the Edam Three Stars and Debden Jets in the ‘D’ bracket North Final, which kicks off Saturday, March 10 at Turtleford Arena at 8 p.m. Game two is set for March 17 in Debden, and game three, if necessary, will go March 18 in Edam at 5 p.m.

 

cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

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