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Combines on the brink of elimination

Feb 12, 2018 | 10:36 AM

To say hopes were high for the Meota Combines entering the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League (SPHL) playoffs last week would certainly be an understatement.

The Combines boasted the second best record in the SPHL (13-3-0) and had the most explosive offence in the league (118 goals). The Combines were facing the Maymont Settlers (5-8-0-3) in the opening round. Maymont players struggled with consistency all season. The team ranked near the bottom of the league in goals for, goals against and lost four of the final five games of its regular season.

However as any sports fan can tell you, anything can happen when you get into the post-season and for Meota it has.

The Combines are on the brink of elimination following a 6-5 double overtime loss to the Settlers on Sunday at the North Battleford Civic Centre and now trail the best of five series two games to one. It was the second consecutive home ice loss for the Combines after only losing just one home game all season long at the Civic Centre.

The Settlers opened the series on Feb. 7 with a 5-3 victory while the Combines evened the series at one game apiece with a 6-1 win in Maymont.

Game four of the series will take place in Maymont Friday night at 8 p.m. and if necessary the fifth and deciding game will be played at the Civic Centre on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

BEAVERS BLUES-SHELLBROOK (Series tied at 1-1)

The Shellbrook Silvertips evened their best of five playoff series at one win apiece with the Battlefords Beaver Blues thanks to an 11-8 victory on Sunday night. Parker Turner and Brett Robillard each had a hat trick for the Silvertips while Cody Dansberg had six points for the Blues including a pair of goals.

Game three of the series goes Thursday night at the Battleford arena at 7:30 p.m.

HAFFORD-GLASLYN (Hawks lead series 2-1)

Kristian Sawyshyn picked up the shutout as the Hafford Hawks defeated the Glaslyn North Stars 4-0 on Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead in their series. The Hawks reeled off back to back wins to take the lead in the best of five series after dropping the opener 3-2 last Wednesday night.

The Hawks can advance to the semifinals with a win in game four in Turtleford on Thursday night.

EDAM-RADISSON (Three Stars lead series 2-0)

The Edam Three Stars have an opportunity to be the first team to advance in the SPHL playoffs as they host the Radisson Wheat Kings tonight at 8:30 p.m. in Edam. The Three Stars came into the playoffs unbeaten in six straight games and can move on with a victory tonight. 

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

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