WILKIE – The last weekend of January began the first round of playoffs in the Sask. West Hockey League, and it provided plenty of excitement for the senior hockey league.
Kerrobert Tigers travelled to Edam for game one against the 3-Stars.
League president, Joe Cey, says, “Veteran Cody Danberg provided another clutch performance with two goals and one assist. Danberg scored a short-handed goal that was pivotal in the third period. Goalie, Jake Taylor, turned aside all 30 shots directed his way, earning his fourth shutout of the season.
Cey says the game of the year took place in Macklin with the battle of the Hawks.
“The fourth seed Mohawks snuck by the fifth seed Hafford in a game that took six periods, or 100 minutes and 23 seconds to declare a winner.”
Macklin’s Carson Pickett was the hero scoring the dramatic, overtime winner early in the sixth period. Picket also scored the first goal of the game.
The Mohawks completed the sweep with another nailbiter winning 3-2, taking the three-game playoff series.
“Hafford’s Jordan Braid scored both goals in the final game, having quite a series, scoring four of Hafford’s six goals in the two-game series, “adds Cey.
Macklin now waits for their semifinal opponent in their quest to repeat as SWHL champions.
Another interesting playoff game had the Unity Miners facing the top spot Kindersley Klippers, giving them all they could handle in game one.
“The clubs were deadlocked at 2-2 after two periods however Carson Grolla scored what proved to the be the winning goal with 18 seconds into the third period. Josh Sim added a late empty-netter sealing the win at 4-2 for the Klippers,” said Cey.
The game’s star was named as Unity Miners’ Ryan Rewerts who kept the Miners in the game. Cey says he was “peppered” with 54 shots on net, letting only three get by him. Unity will play two games in the series on Feb. 3 in Unity arena.
The Wilkie Outlaws, two seed, kicked off their opening league playoff series against the seventh seed Biggar Nationals. The Outlaws took game one 7-1.
Cey notes, “Ryne Keller led the attack with a hat trick and an assist, with Will Rathje earning one goal and three assists.”
Game two of the best of three series goes Jan. 31 in Biggar.
Biggar also began their provincial series and lost the opening game by 3-1, after being deadlocked at one until late in the third when the Kyle Elks scored the winner.
Another provincial D series got underway with the visiting Delisle Bruins downing the Kerrobert Tigers by a score of 6-1 to capture game one.
Wilkie Outlaws begin the provincial B series on Feb. 11 in Wilkie playing the Willow Cree Chiefs. Macklin Mohawks take on the Craik Warriors starting Feb. 10. The Unity Miners did not enter provincial competition.
