SPHL senior hockey playoffs begin round 2 Friday

(No. 1) Meota Combines (14-0-0-0) vs. (No. 4) Radisson Wheatkings (7-6-0-1)

It will be a clash of the league’s top offence in Meota (38 goals in three games), against the second-stingiest team in Radisson (just seven allowed in three games), when the Combines and Wheatkings open their series in North Battleford, Friday night.

With no shortage of star power, the matchup will also feature the league’s top goal scorer through the first round of the playoffs, in Combines’ forward Jayden Nachtegaele (seven goals in three games), as well as the top point producer, in Radisson’s Ryan Rothenburger (11 points in three games).

Player/manager with the Combines, Kyle Gregoire, said top-seeded Meota are looking forward to the challenge the Wheatkings present, adding the key to success will be strong play away from the puck.

“I think our offence can speak for itself, as we’ve done a really good job [executing] that way, so if we can tie up our end, I think we’re going to have some really good success heading into our matchup with Radisson here,” Gregoire said.

Between the pipes, Combine’s goaltender, Zach Noble leads all goalies with a 0.50 goals-against average, allowing just a single goal through two games this post-season. Zach Riemer of the Wheatkings leads all goalies to play all three of their team’s games, with a 2.33 goals-against, after limiting the opposition to just seven goals in three games of the first round.

(No. 2) Turtleford Tigers (11-2-0-1) vs. (No. 3) Battlefords Beaver Blues (10-3-0-1)

Another deep offence, in the Beaver Blues (32 goals in three games) against a gritty defence in Turtleford (just seven goals allowed in three games) will also be a prominent storyline heading into game one down the road in Turtleford.

Beaver Blues’ forward, Blake Fennig sits second in league scoring with 10 points in three games, and – along with linemates, Colton Adair (six goals, nine points) and Kevin Bendall (four goals, nine points) has been one third of perhaps the most dangerous line in senior hockey through the start of the postseason.

However, the Beaver Blues will be met by a deep and sturdy Tigers’ team, which also includes offensive standout, Austin McDonald. McDonald leads the Tigers with eight points in three playoff games, after finishing runner-up for the league scoring title in the regular season, with 30 points in just 11 games.

Player/manager with the Beaver Blues, Kody Wolff said the Battlefords have really hit their stride of late, and will be ready for a strong test heading into game one tonight.

“I think we’ve finally kind of dialed in the lines and we’ve found some guys that are really playing well together, so that’s definitely helped,” Wolff said. “We’ve got three and sometimes four solid lines able to put the puck in the net.”

In goal, Turtleford’s Cameron Simkins is 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average for the Tigers, after allowing just two goals total in the opening round for his team. Beaver Blues netminder, Mitch Hawtin sits second in goals-against among goalies to play all three of their team’s games so far, with a 3.59 GAA heading into round two.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

SPHL senior hockey playoffs begin round 2 Friday

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