Combines captain, Bryce Gatzke played the hero Wednesday night, scoring the double-overtime winner for Meota in Game 1 of the SPHL Finals. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Captain Clutch

Gatzke leads Combines to double-OT win to open SPHL Finals

Mar 7, 2024 | 3:00 PM

It took not one but two overtime periods to determine a winner in Game one of the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League (SPHL) Finals, as the Meota Combines and Glaslyn North Stars battled it out late into the night Wednesday, before Combines’ captain Bryce Gatzke called game.

Receiving a pass out front in the slot-area off some nice work down low by Aaron Cadrin and Myles Baptiste, Gatzke snapped a quick shot on goal for the game-winner just minutes into the second overtime period, to deliver his team a 5-4 victory and 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven.

When asked about the thoughts/emotions going through his mind upon scoring the winner, Gatzke didn’t hesitate in his reply…

“Relief!” He laughed. “It was a bit of a rollercoaster of a game, we went up early, and then kind of had a bit of a meltdown in the second, but in the third, we battled back. Anytime you’re in an overtime game in the finals that kind of gets your nerves going a little bit, so it was just relief to come out with the win and keep our home ice in check.”

Serving as the now fifth-year veteran’s first goal of this year’s playoffs, he said there was definitely a bit of playful ribbing from teammates post-game about saving his first for the biggest play of the year.

Wildfires

Fort McMurray under evacuation alert due to out-of-control wildfire nearby

1h ago

Investigation

RCMP treating man's death at Saulteaux First Nation as suspicious

18h ago

Inaugural Thunder Classic

Thunderchild Wellness Centre readies for soft opening

18h ago

“There were quite a few jokes in the lockerroom after about how many $400 sticks it takes to score a goal and things like that,” Gatzke said with a laugh, shaking his head. “But that makes a guy feel good that your teammates are behind ya, and I think that’s part of what brings our success, is just having that tight-knit group.”

Bryce Gatzke, pictured here in action with the Combines. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Cadrin, who assisted on the game-winner, spoke to the value a player like Gatzke brings to the team on a nightly basis.

“We were all joking with him about getting the monkey off his back and that he was due, but he does a lot of things that don’t show up on the scoresheet every night, so it was nice that he was able to get that game-winning goal and I think that’s just huge momentum for us moving forward in the series,” the forward said.

A 2-0 Combines lead at the end of the first, Glaslyn responded with four of their own in the second period, to make it a 4-3 North Stars’ advantage at the end of 40 minutes. Jayden Nachtegaele’s team-high sixth knotted the score for Meota in the third, to send the game to extra time, while Combines’ forward Brody Tatchell also tallied a pair of goals and an assist in the series-opening win.

The next two games of the SPHL Finals will be played this weekend, Saturday in North Battleford and Sunday in Spiritwood.

Full Finals series schedule:

Game 1: Meota 5-4 2OT (1-0 Meota lead series)

Game 2: March 9 in North Battleford at 8 p.m.

Game 3: Mar. 10 in Spiritwood at 8 p.m.

Game 4: Mar. 15 in Spiritwood or St. Walburg at 8 p.m.

Game 5: Mar. 16 in North Battleford at 8 p.m.

Game 6: Mar. 22 in Spiritwood or St. Walburg at 8 p.m.

Game 7: Mar. 23 in North Battleford at 8 p.m.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1