The premier rivalry in the SWHL in recent years has been between the Wilkie Outlawks and Macklin Mowhawks, two teams set to renew acquaintances Friday night in Game 1 of the League Finals. (Submitted photos)

By Martin Martinson

Rivarly Renewed

Wilkie, Macklin to kick-off Sask West Hockey League Finals

Mar 10, 2023 | 1:16 PM

Game 1 of the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) Finals kicks off Friday night as the Wilkie Outlaws host the Macklin Mohawks.

An epic clash of league heavyweights, this will mark the fifth season in a row the two sides have met in the finals, to face-off for the senior hockey championship.

Macklin won the finals’ showdown last season (2021-22), following three straight Wilkie championships in ’17, ’18 and ’19. The teams also met in the 2020 Finals before the pandemic shutdown canceled things early, also nixing the entire ’21 season.

“We’re no strangers to one another, and I think we just evenly match up and both can put it together in the playoffs and find ways to win,” Mohawks captain Cody McKinnon said of the matchup. “We both have a lot of respect for each other and it should make for a pretty great series.”

The Outlaws finished the regular season, 11-3-0-0 to earn the second seed overall, and have only continued their dominance through the opening two rounds of the postseason. Wilkie swept the #7 Biggar Nationals 2-0 in their opening round best-of-three series, before doing the same in their semi-final best-of-five, topping the #3 Edam 3 Stars in three straight.

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The Mohawks entered the postseason as the fourth seed overall with an 8-5-0-1 record, having hit new heights as the playoff run has gone along. They too opened the postseason with a 2-0 series sweep over the #5 Hafford Hawks in the opening round, followed by a 3-1 semi-finals victory over the top-seeded Kindersley Sr. Klippers on a clinching overtime win in the fourth game.

Wilkie is led by the dynamic three-headed monster of forwards Brock Harrison and Ryan Keller, and defenceman Derek Keller.

Harrison was named SWHL MVP in addition to winning the scoring title with 21 goals and 50 points in just 14 games. Ryan Keller scored 19 goals and 39 points in just nine games, and Derek Keller added 21 in 13 games from the blue line position, to earn his seventh straight Top Defenceman Award. (Read more on awards here)

However, more than just their top-end talent, Harrison said it’s the team’s depth of attack that has set them apart this season.

“We’ve got three lines, and even four most games, that we can roll at any time with six defenceman and strong goalies,” Harrison said. “When you have everybody show up every night and come to practice every Tuesday, usually the team is ready to go, and our conditioning is up which also helps.”

The Mohawks were led this season by a deep offensive attack of their own, led by Mitch Brennan who posted eight goals and 22 points in 13 games. Carson Pickett and Hunter Steinhubel registered 15 points apiece, while captain Cody McKinnon, Spencer Bast, and Corey Doetzel added 14 points each in the 14-game schedule.

McKinnon said heading into the finals, the team will need to bring their spark early and play a quick game, as has been their strength all season.

“We’re a pretty young team, probably the youngest team in the league, and the biggest thing is just using our speed,” he said. “If we can keep that going and be hard on the forecheck, I think we’ll do alright.”

Game 1 of the SWHL Finals will be played Friday night at the SaskCan Community Centre in Wilkie. Puck drop will be at 8:30 p.m. The full finals schedule can be found here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1