The Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) semifinals have kicked off, and Hockey Saskatchewan provincials are continuing to go deeper.
League
The one-seed Hafford Hawks and the four-seed Edam 3 Stars started their best-of-five matchup Feb. 21 in Hafford, with the 3 Stars coming away with a 5-3 win.
Owen Latendresse scored the only goal of the opening frame for a 1-0 Edam lead. Colby Daniels would tie things up at the 14:47 mark of the second period, but the 3 Stars would explode for three goals from Brady Deobald (PPG), Josh LaClare and Cody Danberg in three minutes for a big 4-1 lead after 40 minutes. In the third period, Connor Neave would cut the lead to 4-2 early, but Brent Weber would restore the three-goal lead just four minutes later. Andrew Galambos would round out the scoring.
Taryn Kotchorek took the win, stopping 29 of 32 shots. Joel Gryzbowski stopped 21 of 26 shots in the loss.
In game two on Feb. 22 in Edam, the 3 Stars were able to complete the comeback in a 3-2 overtime victory. Edam now leads the series 2-0.
Brandon Lesko opened the scoring late in the first period on the power play, with Brady Deobald tying things up midway through the second period. Jeremy Boyer would give the Hawks the 2-1 lead, but with the goalie pulled, Jordan Fransoo would tie it back up. Cody Danberg was the overtime hero.
Joel Gryzbowski stopped 42 of 45 shots in the overtime loss, while Taryn Kotchorek stopped 33 of 35 shots in the win.
The two-seed Wilkie Outlaws fired up their best-of-five matchup against the three-seed Kindersley Klippers.
The Outlaws struck first, winning 6-2 and taking the 1-0 series lead. Mitch Suchan started it off early, followed by Rick Cey’s third of the playoffs at the 2:41 mark. Jessey Pocock snuck one in just under the wire to cut the lead to 2-1. The Outlaws took control in the middle frame, with Brett Schell, Mike Sittler and Rory Gregoire all scoring for a big 5-1 lead after 40 minutes. Brody Ryberg would cut the lead to 5-2, but Carter Wakelin’s first career senior hockey goal would secure the victory.
Logan Drackett stopped 39 of 45 shots in the loss, while Jared Herle stopped 31 of 33 shots in the win.
Provincials
In the Senior ‘B’ Bracket, the Biggar Nationals came from behind to win game two against the Davidson Cyclones of the Sask Valley Hockey League, winning 6-5 in overtime. That forced a winner-take-all game with Davidson taking advantage of their home surroundings with a big 8-2 win. The Cyclones move onto the North final and a date with the Kindersley Klippers. Davidson has the hammer in the series.
In the ‘C’ Bracket, the Wilkie Outlaws took care of business in Eston, winning 4-2 in game two. They swept the series and will move on to the North final to play against the Lanigan Pirates of the Long Lake Hockey League. The Outlaws have the hammer in the series.
In the ‘D’ Bracket, the Edam 3 Stars opened up their series against the Shellbrook Elks of the Twin Rivers Hockey League, with Edam coming away with the 8-1 win.
