Beaver Blues, Combines celebrate the season with ‘Christmas games’ Friday

(Facebook/Meota Combines)

The Christmas game is a tradition veteran Combines’ forward, Aaron Cadrin said the team looks forward to each year.

“Every year right before Christmas, people are back home for the holidays and school is out, so we like to do something special,” he said. “We’re hoping to get lots of people out who are home for the holidays, and it should be fun, so we’re looking forward to it.”

The Combines enter the weekend sitting atop the SPHL standings with a perfect 7-0 record heading into their final game of 2023.

“We’re going to have a full squad for the first time this year, so that will be nice to be skating with four full lines, and it’ll be a good test,” Cadrin said of the matchup. “We went into Glaslyn last week and beat them, but now we get to play them on our home ice. They’ve got some really good players and I’m sure they’re coming out hungry for this one.”

Friday’s game will also be ‘Minor Hockey Night.’ All kids ages 12 and under will be entered into a shootout during the intermission for a chance to win a Gutters prize pack. All youth are also encouraged to wear their local team’s jersey if they have one.

Battlefords Beaver Blues vs Turtleford Tigers

The Beaver Blues are also passing along the festive spirit with their annual Christmas game at Battleford Arena being a free-to-attend showdown with the Turtleford Tigers.

In lieu of admission, the Beaver Blues will have a donation box at the front door with all proceeds going towards the Empty Stocking Fund. With a guaranteed $300 50/50 draw and $5 beer gardens, the game will also be a milestone occasion for Beaver Blues’ captain, Kevin Bendall who will suit up for his 100^th career SPHL game.

(Facebook/Battlefords Beaver Blues)

Beaver Blues’ player/coach, Josh Shynkaruk said the free/donation gate is the team’s way of giving back to the fans for all their support again this year.

“We just thought that with Christmas here and the economy being a bit tough this year, we’re going to try to do just a little thing and give back to the fans,” Shynkaruk said. “Even if it’s saving $10, people can walk right in or bring a food item or something to donate to the Empty Stocking Fund and come out and enjoy the game.”

Shynkaruk also added that as the first meeting between the Beaver Blues and Tigers since last year’s SJHL semi-final matchup, it makes for a nice budding rivalry game as well.

“It’s definitely going to be a good game to have here, especially for Christmas when everyone’s home and all the families are back,” he said. “Turtleford’s very fast and they’re very skilled, so I don’t know how it will turn out, but we’ll just have to play it by ear and play our best and it should be a great game.”

In other action

Also in action this weekend, the Radisson Wheatkings will play host to the Perdue Pirates in Radisson. That game will be an 8 p.m. puck drop.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

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by Martin Martinson

Beaver Blues, Combines celebrate the season with ‘Christmas games’ Friday

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