By Craig Stein
REMAINING SERIES ALL 3-0
The Battlefords North Stars are moving on to the SJHL Semi-Finals in short order, sweeping their Quarter-Final with Weyburn, with a 4-3 decision in Game 4, ending the series in just five days.
The Stars, who just had two full weeks off, will get another 10 day break before hosting Game 1 of the Semis, likely next Friday night.
The Red Wings opened the scoring in Game 4, and they held the lead twice, as Mike Eskra scored first, and Carson Rose and Ben Hiltz scored back to back goals in the second period to put them up 3-2 at the midway point.
In the end, the top team in the SJHL season was just too much, as Ben Allen scored the only goal in the third period to break a 3-3 tie. It was Allen’s 6th goal of the four game series. Troy Gerein, Keaton Holinaty and Connor Sych also found the net and Coby Downs added a pair of assists, and while Downs didn’t score in the series, he racked up nine assists in four games and leads the playoffs in scoring.
The other three series are now 3-0 after Game 3’s on Tuesday, and if the teams leading 3-0 all go on to win, the Stars would face the Estevan Bruins in the next round.
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The Estevan Bruins won yet another close one to take a 3-0 series lead over the Yorkton Terriers, picking up a 5-4 decision on home ice on Tuesday.
Much like Weyburn, the Terriers scored first and led 3-2 but saw the Bruins come back. Estevan scored three unanswered en route to the win.
Jason Miller scored twice, and he gave the Bruins the lead on both occasions, 3-2 and 4-3. Jake Fletcher chipped in three assists while Evan Scott (1g-1a), Lynnden Pastachak and Michael McChesney also scored.
Dakota Odgers led the Terriers with a goal and two assists. Cody Illerbrun opened the scoring just three minutes in, before Shane Sherban and Corwin Stevely added second period goals.
Yorkton looks to avoid elimination when they host Game 3 on Wednesday night.
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The Nipawin Hawks have a 3-0 stranglehold as they doubled up the Humboldt Broncos 4-2 in Game 3.
Josh Bly set up all four Hawks’ goals, while Eric Bolden scored twice and added one assist, and Brandan Arnold had a goal and two assists. Tanner Thompson scored the eventual winner and Kristian Stead made 33/35 saves. Stead is 3-0. 1.33, .960% in the series.
Brayden Camrud got the Broncos on the board in the first period and Logan Schatz rounded out the scoring just 14 seconds into the third. Garrett Mason made 34/38 saves.
The two clubs take the day off Wednesday, before Game 4 Thursday night in Humboldt.
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The Flin Flon Bombers also have a shot at a series sweep, as they beat the Notre Dame Hounds 3-1 in Wilcox to grab a 3-0 series lead.
The Bombers gave up just one goal for the third straight time, as Zac Robidoux (3-0, 1.00, .952%) made 20/21 saves.
Kristian St. Onge (1g-1a), Greyson Reitmeier and Jordan McCausland did the scoring.
Kobe Kindrachuk replied for the Hounds and Benjamin Patt turned away 38/41 shots.
Game 4 goes Wednesday in Wilcox with the Bombers looking to move on.
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