UNITY — With the completion of the SWHL season, the first round best-of-three playoff series have been set: Kindersley Klippers (1) vs Unity Miners (8), Wilkie Outlaws (2) vs Biggar Nationals (7), Edam 3 Stars (3) vs Kerrobert Tigers (6), and Macklin Mohawks (4) vs Hafford Hawks (5). Hafford and Kerrobert both finished with 10 points but the Hawks get the higher finish based on their two wins over Kerrobert in regular season play.
Kerrobert finished the last weekend of regular play strong with two wins. The Tigers edged the visiting Unity Miners 4-3, Jan. 20 Adam Osczevski (2-1) and Rylan Freed (1-1) led the Tiger offence. Nik Amundrud stopped 35 of 38 in net.
Ryan Rewerts turned aside 32 of 36 in Unity’s net while Ethan Scherr (1-1), Mark Ganter (1-1) and Colby Ralston (1-1) were Unity’s top forwards.
The surprise of the weekend took place with the pesky Tigers battling to a 6-5 shoot-out win over Edam in Edam. Nik Amundrud had another stellar game, stopping 43 of 48 for the road win. Rylan Freed (1-4), Adam Osczevski (1-2) and Mathew Roblin (2-1) paced the Tiger attack.
Cody Danberg had three helpers for Edam. Cam Simkins had his first ever SWHL game in the net for Edam and stopped 38 of 43.
Overtime settled nothing so the teams went to a shootout. Mitch Wall scored early for the Stars, Adam Osczevski got one for the Tigers. It took until the ninth round of shooters before Landon Murphy became the hero, beating Simkins for the Kerrobert win.
Biggar Nationals beat the Miners in Unity 6-0, Jan. 21. Brett Matlock got the 40-save shutout. Brett Novak (3-1) and Chris Henry (1-3) led the Nationals up front. Brett Vandeveer faced 36 shots in the Unity net.
Macklin Mohawks downed the visiting Wilkie Outlaws 6-2, Jan. 20. Cody McKinnon and Hunter Steinhubel had two goals apiece for Macklin. Derek Keller assisted on both of Wilkie’s goals. Kyle Dumba was busy and sensational in Macklin’s net, stopping 42 of 44 shots. Curtis Sander faced 24 shots in Wilkie’s net.
Macklin won again the following night, beating Hafford 7-3 in Motown. Jared Hillis (2-2) and Carson Pickett (2-2) had strong games for the Mohawks. Ryan Deck stopped 22 of 25 for the win. Devin Gerun had two markers for the Hawks. Joel Gryzbowski and Chase Honan combined to face 45 shots in the Hafford net.
The regular season wrapped up with the Outlaws beating Biggar 12-2.The line of Brock Harrison (2-6), Ryan Keller (3-4) and Rick Cey (3-2) exploded for 20 points. Kyle Laturnus was very busy in the Nats’ net facing 54 shots. Jared Herle stopped 23 of 25 for Wilkie.
Honourable mention for Week 12 Player of the Week goes to the Outlaw line of Harrison, Keller and Cey. Also, last week’s winner, Nik Amundrud gets a mention for his two wins for the Tigers. Rylan Freed gets a mention for his two-goal five-assist weekend. Kyle Dumba gets an honorable mention for his solid goaltending in Macklin Jan. 20.
The winner of the Week 12 Player of the Week Tim’s card goes to Jared Hillis of the Macklin Mohawks. Hillis had a (3-3) weekend and continues his solid two-way physical play, helping the Mohawks to two big wins on the final weekend of the regular season. Congratulations, Jared.
