With a victory Monday night, the North Battleford Beavers will force a winner-take-all Game 3, Tuesday night in Lloydminster. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Win and stay in

Beavers look to extend finals series as scene shifts to NB

Aug 17, 2020 | 12:54 PM

In a season filled with many unique challenges, the North Battleford Beavers face perhaps their biggest task yet Monday evening.

As the team returns to Beaver Lions Stadium for Game 2 of the North Sask. River Baseball League (NSRBL) Final, their championship aspirations hang in the balance, with the season on the line.

Trailing 1-0 in their best-of-three championship series with the Lloyd Twins, the stage has been set for the Beavers and the task is simple. They must win to stave off elimination, and force a third and deciding game for the league title in Lloydminster.

While a certain level of pressure is almost assured to be on the shoulders of the Beavers, the team remain unwavering in their self-belief that this is the year they claim the franchise’s first league championship since their string of four-straight in the mid-to-late 90s (1994-’97).

After all, if there is one thing this year’s Beavers team has proven, it’s their ability to bring their best game in the clutch.

BDO Debt Solutions

Deck the Halls Without Breaking the Bank: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Holiday

15h ago

strong reputation

North Battleford wins gold in provincial volleyball championship

16h ago

POSTAL STRIKE IMPACT

Chamber reaction: Postal strike in rural Sask. sparks concerns for businesses and holiday shipping

17h ago

Entering the postseason as the fifth seed overall, the Beavers topped the fourth-seeded Trappers 4-0 in the quarter-finals to advance; before then beating top-seeded Standard Hill by a definitive 13-9 final in the semis.

Head coach and player with the Beavers, Kyle Gregoire said the team can count on that experience to give them confidence heading into Game 2.

“Because we’ve already had two elimination games, I think we’re more than prepared to feel good in that scenario,” he said. “When our backs are against the wall I think we’ve been able to capitalize on our opportunities well, and I think this is just another step in that situation for us.”

Team MVP this season, Damon Schaefer added the Beavers have embraced the underdog role throughout their playoff run, and will look to shift the pressure onto their opponents with a good early start.

“I don’t think anyone was expecting us to do this well, and we went out there and just proved to ourselves we do have a good squad,” Schaefer said. “We just need to continue to believe in ourselves and hopefully we can get the job done. The Twins are so good and they’ve been there so many times in the finals, so I think all the pressure’s on them [moving forward].”

Schaefer added that with the stakes at hand, returning home to North Battleford for Game 2 should be a great boon to the Beavers as well.

“We haven’t been in the finals for over 20 years, so I think the atmosphere is just going to be electric,” he said. “It’s always fun to go play in front of the home crowd and just do your best. It’s good having fans cheer behind you and it just makes it so much more fun too.”

Monday’s game at Beaver Lions Stadium will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Should the Beavers prove victorious, Game 3 will be played Tuesday night in Lloydminster.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1