One series is done, one is tied, and the other two are in a 3-1 spread after all SJHL Quarter-Finals played Game 4 on Wednesday night.
The Flin Flon Bombers are off to the Semi-Finals, finishing off a series sweep of the Humboldt Broncos with a 2-1 decision in Wednesday’s Game 4 in Humboldt.
Cal Schell made his playoff debut in goal for the Bombers, stopping 44 of the 45 shots he faced. The game was scoreless at the midway point, before Zach Bannister opened the scoring for Flin Flon 12:52 into the second period. Karter McNarland tied it for Humboldt late in the middle frame, but Easton Haygarth got the lead back for the Bombers with just under nine minutes left in the third period and it stood up as the winner.
Brendan Forman made 31/33 saves in goal for the Broncos.
Flin Flon will have home ice advantage in Games 1 & 2 of the Semi-Finals, and could still play any of the remaining teams below them in the standings – Melfort, Yorkton, La Ronge, Estevan or Nipawin, depending how the rest of Round 1 shakes down. The only team they’ll avoid for sure in the Semis would be Battlefords.
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The La Ronge Ice Wolves and Yorkton Terriers are even once again as the Ice Wolves beat the Terriers 5-1 on Wednesday to tie that Best-of-Seven series at 2-2.
Xavier Cannon earned the win, making 40/41 saves, while Stewart Pond led the way offensively with a goal and two assists. Spencer Kennedy, James Philpott and Booker Chacalias all had a goal and an assist, while Ben Manson rounded out the scoring.
Keenan Taphorn replied for the Terriers, who host Game 5 on Friday night. Game 6 is also now a sure thing, set for Sunday in La Ronge.
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The Nipawin Hawks are alive for at least another couple of days, as they extended their season with a 6-3 win over Battlefords. The Stars still lead the series 3-1.
The Hawks scored four third period goals, including three unanswered, and never trailed all night in Game 4.
Caden Benson had a goal and an assist, while Brodie Girod, Jordan Simoneau, Carson Dobson, Jeremy Bisson and Riley Bruce all found the net. Dalton Dosch made his first start of the series and turned away 34 of the 37 shots he faced.
Dylan McCabe, Seth Summers and Rylon Nivon did the scoring for the North Stars. They host Game 5 on Friday night.
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Ben Tkachuk scored with 51 seconds left in regulation, to break a 1-1 tie, and give the Melfort Mustangs a 2-1 win, and a 3-1 series lead over the Estevan Bruins.
The Mustangs won both games in Estevan 2-1, including Tuesday in overtime to grab the big 3-1 edge.
Zach Anderson opened the scoring for Melfort just 4:30 into the game and Shawn Parkinson made 20/21 saves.
Eddie Gallagher replied for the Bruins, with Keenan Rancier making 23/25 stops in goal. Game 5 goes Friday night in Melfort, with the Mustangs looking to move on.
