ASSINIBOIA — March madness is on at your local arena as teams continue their quests for league and provincial championships.
Assiniboia area Minor Hockey teams provincial playoffs
In U13C provincials, Gravelbourg knocked off Carievele Storm in two decisive victories, advancing them to quarter-finals against Wawota. Game one took place Feb. 25 in Wawota, resulting in a loss for Gravelbourg. Game two was March 2 in Kincaid, and if a game three is necessary, a mini-game will immediately follow game two. The winner will take on either Watrous or Â鶹´«Ã½AVley to play in the provincial semifinal. March 2 game results were not available at press time.
Wood River Lafleche Flyers completed a two-game sweep in the first round of the U13B provincials, outscoring their opponents 28-3. The Flyers advanced to play Shaunavon in the quarter-finals. Game one was a loss for Wood River Lafleche Flyers, meaning they must win for the team in game two set Feb. 28, and a game three mini game immediately following game two, should they win. The Flyers were unable to win against Shaunavon this series, and their provincial quest is over.
In female U13B, the Wood River Ice Cats (Lafleche) play Balcarres in quarter-finals starting Feb. 23. The Ice Cats dropped game one and will now have to win game two in Balcarres, March 2, to force a game three mini-game to determine who advances to the semifinal. The winner will advance to the finals to play either Milestone Flyers or Moosomin Badgers. As of press time, March 2 game results were not available.
In U15B division, Assiniboia Rebels advanced out of the first round of provincial playoffs, defeating Fort Knox and are now playing Lumsden Lions in the next round, with games Feb. 27 and March 2, with a mini game three played immediately after game two if needed to decide series. The winner will advance to semifinals to take on Carlyle or Canora. Game one showcased the strength of these teams as the HockeySask website showed a 4-4 tie.
U18D provincial division includes Lafleche Flyers playing Meunster on the road. The Flyers captured game one and will move on March 2 to play game two, and game three mini if needed to decide the series. The winner will advance to provincial semifinal against either Strasbourg or Redvers. March 2 game results were not available at press time.
AMHA teams league playoffs
Feb. 26, U15 Rebels, playing in the Â鶹´«Ã½AVwest Sask Hockey League, played Eastend in game one of league playoffs. According to the league website as of Feb. 27, , Assiniboia had a one-goal loss in a hard-fought battle in game one. Game two will take place in Eastend on March 3, and if a game three is necessary, it will be back in Assiniboia March 5
Feb. 26, U18 Rebels played Mossbank in game two of league playoffs. According to the league website as of Feb. 27, , Mossbank has captured the series, winning both games by scores of 4-3.
Richardson Pioneer Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Rebels
It was a rough start for the Jr. Rebels in their opening game of the Prairie Junior Hockey League playoffs against Fort Knox, losing by a score of 6-1. This means the Rebels are again counting on home town fans to bring the energy to their home games upcoming in this series. Game two in Assiniboia on March 2 was not available at press time. Game three will be back in Fort Knox on March 4, with game four back at Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre on March 6. If this series goes the distance, game five is set for March 8 in Fort Knox and game six back in Assiniboia on March 10. March 12 will be the seventh and deciding game in this series if the full seven games are needed to decide this playoff series.
Assiniboia Sr. Rebels
Notekeu Hockey League semifinals have begun with a best-of-five playoff series against Mossbank Blades. The Blades continue to showcase the strength of their team, putting another playoff game into overtime, with the Rebels coming out on top. Three of the four games in Mossbank’s quarter-final series were decided in overtime.
The Rebels Sr returned to Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre Feb. 25 for game two, earning another win of 5-2, putting them up two games in the league semifinals. Game three took place Feb. 28, and once again Mossbank forced an overtime game, however, the Sr. Rebels emerged the winners and captured the series.
The Notekeu Hockey League website shows the Rebels will square off against the YellowGrass Wheat Kings for the league final, in a best-of-seven series. Game dates to be announced.
Sr Rebels Provincial playoffs
The Rebels Sr. took game one of the best-of-three provincial series against the Oxbow Huskies, winning at home by a score of 3-1. The next two games took place in Oxbox Feb. 22 and 25. The Rebels doubled Oxbow in game three by a score of 6-3, winning them the series and will now play Foam Lake Flyers in the Â鶹´«Ã½AV provincial final.
Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre was the venue for game one of this provincial playoff series on March. 1. Even with a strong hometown crowd behind them, the Sr. Rebels were unable to defeat Foam Lake. Losing their opening game by a score of 7-3. The Sr. Rebels are now down one game in the best-of-three series. Game two takes place in Foam Lake on March 8, and if a game three is needed, it will also be in Foam Lake on March 9.
