Redwings face must-win game in U-18 C provincial series
By David McIver
The under-18 Western Prairie Redwings needed a win last Saturday to stay alive in their U-18 C provincial playoff series.
Rosetown was to host the Unity Lazers to conclude the second-round matchup.
The Lazers had taken an 8-1 decision in Unity on Feb. 21. Boyd Anderson scored the lone Redwings goal.
The teams had also met in regular-season Hi-Way 14 Hockey League play in Unity on Thursday, when the Lazers posted a 6-1 victory. Justice Zacharias scored for Rosetown.
In female hockey, the U-18 Western Prairie Redwings earned a first-round bye in the U-18 A league playoffs after finishing first in the regular season.
They will face the lowest remaining seed from the first-round series between the third-place Delisle Bruins and sixth-place Spiritwood Northern Wolves, and between the fifth-place Northwest Hawks and fourth-place Saskatoon Comet Destroyers.
The second-place Saskatoon Comet Rush, who also received a bye, will meet the other first-round winner. Those opening series were scheduled to run from last Sunday through this Sunday.
At the U-13 A level, the Western Prairie Blaze needed a win in Kerrobert on Monday to extend their first-round playoff series against the Western Prairie Mohawks.
The Mohawks won the opener 3-1 in Elrose on Thursday. A third and deciding game, if necessary, was to be played in Rosetown on Friday.
Laney Hargrave scored the Blaze goal in the second period, assisted by Devyn Jessiman. Leighton Bacon scored twice for the Mohawks, while Kamry Gette added a single.
Surine Duvenage was in goal for the Blaze. Emersyn Volk tended the Mohawks net.
With one regular-season game remaining last Saturday afternoon, the U-11 Western Prairie Redwings led the U-11 A West Division with 39 points in 20 games, one point ahead of the Western Prairie Klippers, who also had a game that day.
Regardless of the outcome, the Redwings will compete in the league’s final tournament in Estevan on March 14, said parent Trent Aylward.
The U-9 Western Prairie Redwings competed in their league final tournament in Martensville this past weekend, said Aylward, who serves as co-coach.