Bantam UCT Terriers set to make 2nd straight appearance at the Western Canadians

For the 2nd straight year the Yorkton Bantam UCT Terriers will represent Saskatchewan at the Western Canadian Bantam Hockey championships taking place Today to Sunday in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Terriers advanced to this years tournament by capturing the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey league championship final with a 2 game sweep for the Sask Valley Vipers.

I had a chance to catch up with UCT Terriers Head Coach Graham Garrett to talk about the season so far and  preview this weeks tournament.




UCT Terriers Game Schedule:

Thurs Apr 2nd/15 vs. Alberta (3PM SK time)

Fri. Apr 3rd/15 vs. Manitoba (8AM SK time)

Fri. Apr 3rd/15 vs. Host (2PM SK time)

Sat. Apr 4th/15 vs British Columbia (11AM SK time) 

For more Scores and Stats visit the tournament website Click here

Locals at Hoopla 2015 in Saskatoon

2A Boys **Friday**
6PM- Canora Cougars vs. Saskatoon Ecole Canadien

2A Girls **Friday**
2:30PM- Foam Lake Panthers vs. Regina Harvest City
4:15PM- Wynyard Golden Bears vs. Meath Park

3A Girls
**Friday**
12:45PM- Indian Head Broncs vs. Caronport

Melville Millionaires Award Winners for 2014/15

(Top Row: Dalton Menke, Tyler Kreklewich, Tanner Kyle, Brennen Miller, Drew Litwin, Ben Mack, Trevor Martin. Bottom row: Matt Carr, Lane Harbor, Reed Murray, Adam Koopman)
**Picture compliments of Tania Bomberak

Molson's Award for Top Scorer-  Lane Harbor

Fred McLean Memorial Trophy to the Most Gentlemanly Player- Matt Carr

Bob Parker Memorial Trophy to "Mr Hustle"- Drew Litwin & Tyler Kreklewich

Tom Dooley Memorial Trophy to the Most Improved Player- Matt Carr & Ben Mack

Don & Vi Kilbach Memorial Scholastic Award- Tyler Kreklewich

3 Star Player Award- Lane Harbor

Edward Wozniak Memorial Award for Unsung Hero- Dalton Menke & Adam Koopman

Cheerful Spirit & Co-Operative Attitude Award- Adam Koopman

Richard Mann Memorial Trophy for Best Playoff Performer- Trevor Martin

Bell Kreklewich & Co. Law Office Most Popular Player Award- Ben Mack

Swannie & Shirley Cox & Phyllis Sanftleben Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year- Drew Litwin, Tanner Kyle and Brennen Miller

Vaughn Motter Memorial Trophy for Best Forward- Reed Murray and Lane Harbor

Gerald Wassill Memorial Trophy for Best Defenceman- Ben Mack

Mel Sullivan Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player- Trevor Martin


The Mils also said goodbye to their 7- 20 year olds :

(Top Row: Matt Carr, Lane Harbor, Adam Koopman. Bottom Row: Jeff Hubic, Allen Kilback, Reed Murray, Landon Farrell)

Norrish Twins & RIT Tigers open up NCAA tournament on Saturday vs. Minnesota State

There will be a couple Yorkton Terrier alumni participating in the 2015 NCAA tournament which begins this weekend.

Brady (pictured left) and Chase Norrish (pictured right) & the RIT Tigers will take on the top ranked Minnesota State Mavericks in the opening of the Midwest Regionals coming up on Saturday afternoon at 2PM SK time in South Bend, Indiana a game that will be played on TSN 1 .

RIT won its second Atlantic Hockey Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time as a Division I program last weekend with a win over Mercyhurst. It is RIT's 15th trip to the NCAA Tournament in program history (Divisions I, II, III).

Brady, was also named to the All-Tournament team and finished his season with 4 goals 18 assists for 22 points in 37 games while brother Chase also a freshmen on the team had 1 goals and 11 assists in 37 games.

I had a chance to catch up with Brady Norrish and get his thoughts on the Conference title and about their weekend opponent.

Final Melville Millionaires Coaches Show of 14/15- March 25th

Final Wayway Wolverines Coaches Show of 14/15 season - Mar 24th

Mils' season comes to an end with a 4-0 Game 6 loss in Nipawin

After the Melville Millionaires got out to a 2 games to 1 series lead, the Nipawin Hawks rattled off 3 straight victories which included a 4-0 victory over the Mils in Game 6 to win the Best 7 Series 4-2.

The Mils started off the game with some pretty quality chances but they just weren't able to convert and it would be the Hawks drawing first blood at the 7:18 mark of the 1st as Eric Bolden would capitalize on a big rebound from Trevor Martin and hammer home his 1st of the series to make it a 1-0 lead. Chase Thudium would make it a 2-0 lead with 1:22 to go in the first frame as he would take nice back door feed from Carter Coben for his 2nd to give the Hawks a 2 goal lead after 1 period of play.

The Hawks would be the only team to hit the score board as Game 5 OT hero Carter Coben would also convert on a big rebound and slip it by a sprawled out Trevor Martin for a power play goal, his 3rd of the series to make it a big advantage of 3-0 after 40 minutes.

The Mils might have played one of their better periods of the series in 3rd as they would out shoot Nipawin 21-7 but some how couldn't beat Joe O'Brien who had his best game of the series for the Hawks turning aside everything he saw. Kris Spriggs would add an empty netter with 5:23 to go, his team leading 5th goal of the series to put the final nail in the coffin of the Mils and a 4-0 Hawks victory.

19 year old Joe O'Brien stopped all 33 shots he faced for his 1st shutout of the postseason while 18 year old Mils netminder Trevor Martin made 25 saves in the season ending loss for the Mils.

The Hawks will now move on to face their biggest rivals, the Melfort Mustangs in the SJHL Semi-Finals which most likely will start on Friday night in Melfort at the Northern Lights Palace.


---- I would also like to thank the Melville Millionaires organization from top to bottom for having me once again involved in the 2014/15 season and I know it might've ended sooner than most like, but congrats on a great season.

Also Congrats to the 7 20 year olds who had their Jr. Careers come to an end and best of luck to them going forward. Those players were:

#5 Adam Koopman

#6 Matt Carr

#7 Jeff Hubic

#15 Allen Kilback

#20 Landon Farrell

#22 Lane Harbor

#23 Reed Murray


Final Post Game of 14/15 with Mils HC/GM Jamie Fiesel. He chats about the season that was, and a little comment about each graduating 20 year old.

Coben's Game 5 Heroics pushes Mils to brink of elimination

The Melville Millionaires are now a loss away from elimination as they fell in Game 5 of their Best of 7 Quarter-Final series last night by a score of 6-5 to the Nipawin Hawks to take a 3-2 series lead.

The Mils would get on the board first as Lane Harbor would bang home his 1st of the playoffs on the power play to make it a 1-0 lead. But just 2:25 later, the Hawks would respond as Nick Reimer's point shot would beat Trevor Martin for his 1st to tie things up at 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The wild 2nd period would begin just 2:56 in when Zack Bross would go top shelf on Martin for his 2nd to give the Hawks their first lead at 2-1. Tanner Kyle would respond for the money men as he would get one past a screened Joe O'Brien to even things at 2-2. Chase Thudium would get the Hawks ahead again but once again the Mils would respond this time by Lane Harbor
who got his 2nd of the evening. The Mils would get the lead just 16 seconds later when Mark Zvonkovic's long shot would hit the back of the net for his 2nd of the postseason to make it 4-3 Mils. SJHL Rookie of the Year Garrett Dunlop would end off the high scoring period with a power play goal late to make it a 4-4 tie after a couple periods.

Jayden Piatelli would give the visitors an early in the 3rd frame just 4:36 in as Jayden Piatelli would get his 1st to make it 5-4. But to no ones surprise the Mils would once again tie things up at 5-5 when Tyson Predinchuk would fire home his 4th of the playoffs to force the overtime.

In the extra period, 20 year old Carter Coben would take a nice pass across from Brandon Arnold and jam it through Martin to gives his team the series lead and a 6-5 Game 5 victory.

Joe O'Brien made 21 saves on 26 shots for Nipawin while Trevor Martin was the busier of the goaltenders in the Melville net as he made 43 saves in the loss.

The Mils were 2 for 3 on the PP, while Hawks were 1/5.

The Mils will need a victory tomorrow night (Sun) when the two teams do battle for Game 6 in Nipawin. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Hockey, pregame 5:50 pxp at 6:00.

Post Game Show with Mils Asst. GM Neil Lamberty

Yorkton's Johnson reunities with brother Jeremy at Minot State

The Minot State Beavers hockey team are pleased to announce that Yorkton Terrier graduating forward & Yorkton product Dylan Johnson has committed to their team for the 2015/16 season.

Johnson just completed a very successful 3 year career with his hometown Terrier team where he compiled 30 goals 34 assists for 64 points in 157 career games as a Terrier. He also helped them win 2 Canalta Cup titles, 1 Western Canada Cup title and the franchise's first RBC Cup National Championship in the 13/14 season.

Johnson will join brother Jeremy on the Beavers squad.

Spriggs nets the winner as Hawks defeat Mils 4-3 in Game 4 to even it up at 2-2

This SJHL quarter-final series is now down to just a best of 3 as the Nipawin Hawks slipped by the Melville Millionaires 4-3 on Wednesday night to tie up the Best of 7 series at 2 games apiece.

The Hawks would take of advantage of a sloppy and very slow start from the Millionaires as at one point early on in the game, they would be out shooting the Mils 9-. They also hit 2 goal posts and 1 cross bar but it was still scoreless game. That was until the 1:44 mark in the opening frame when Brennen Miller would deflect home his 2nd of the series on the power play on a nice feed from Tanner Kyle to give the Mils a 1-0 advantage after 1 period.

Mitch Lipon would make it a 2-0 game just 15 seconds into the 2nd as he would bang home a rebound off a Landon Farrell shot for his 2nd of the playoffs. But the Hawks would get on the board just 2:02 later as Keagan Kjargaard would captialize on a Mils turnover at the Hawks short handed and flick home his 1st just inside the post to cut the home team to within one at 2-1. The Hawks would get the equalizer just a short time later as off a scramble play, Reece Forman would be left wide open in the high slot and he would go top shelf on Trevor Martin to make it even at 2-2. The Mils though would once again get the lead back as Tyson Predinchuk would make a nice move around the Hawks dman and just send it towards the slot and it would go off a leg of a Hawk and through the five-hole of Joe O'Brien for his 3rd goal of the playoffs to make it a 3-2 lead for Melville after 40 minutes.

The Hawks would once again get the equalizer, again on the power play as Garret Dunlop would get the loose puck back door and sling it over a sprawled out Mils net minder for his 1st goal of the series to tie it up at 3-3. Nipawin would get their first lead and get the eventual game winner with just 5:38 remaining as Kris Spriggs would bang home his series leading 4th goal to get Nipawin a crucial 4-3 win on home ice.

Joe O'Brien got his 2nd win of the series as he stopped 27 shots while Trevor Martin made 29 saves in the loss.

The Hawks PP was 3/4 and was the difference on the night.

So the pivotal Game 5 will take place at the Horizon Credit Union Centre in Melville on Friday night at 7:30. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Hockey, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30.

**Once again just a reminder that tickets for Game 5 will go on sale at 5PM til Game time at the Box Office in Horizon Credit Union Center.


Mils Head Coach/GM Jamie Fiesel post game comments can be found here at this link

https://soundcloud.com/bennywalchuk2/feez-post-mar-19

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Over in the MJHL,

The Wayway Wolverines' 2014/15 season came to an end as the Portage Terriers completed the sweep of the Wolverines with a 7-0 win on Wednesday night.

Kevin Pochuk led the way with 1G 2A while Zack Waldvogel had 2 goals as well to lead the way.

Justin Laforest made 21 saves for the shutout while Brandon Holtby made 32 saves in the loss.

I would like to wish the 20 year olds that had their Junior careers end tonight the best of luck going forward:

#9 Dylan Gedjos

#35 Mitch Wiebe

#10 George Spilchal

#27 Connar Bass

#25 Matt Miller

Stamps had no luck of the Irish as their season ends with 7-3 to Winnipeg in Game 4

       


The luck of the Irish wasn't on the side of the Swan Valley Stampeders on this St. Patrick's Day as they had their season come to an end as they fell 7-3 to the Winnipeg Blues and the Blues swept the Stamps 4-0 to advance to the MJHL Semi-Finals.

The Blues would get off to a very fast start as just 56 seconds in, Kamerin Nault would rip one top shelf on Graham Hunt to give the Blues a 1-0 lead early. It would stay like that until the 16:18 mark when Reid Stefanson would beat Hunt for his 1st of the series to make it a 2 goal game at 2-0. The Stamps would cut the deficit in half as Tristan Langan would bang home his 3rd of the post season to make it 2-1. But maybe what could be the turning point of the game just 16 seconds later, Brett Brooks would regain the 2 goal lead to take the momentum and give the Blues a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.

The 2nd period would once again begin well for the Blues and for the 2nd straight time it would be Nault  producing as this time short handed he would pick pocket the Stamps dman and slip home his 2nd of the night to make it a 4-1 game early in the middle frame. Scott Rowswell would add a power play just a short time later and for the first time in the series the Blues had a 4 goal lead. Swan would once again cut back into the Blues lead as Tristan Mullin would get a shorthanded breakaway and he would make no mistake for his 1st of the series to cut the deficit to just 5-2. But the Blues would once again as Liam Bilton would take a nice a nice feed in front from Brett Brooks and hammer past Lasse Petersen who would relieve Graham Hunt, and it was once again a 4 goal lead at 6-2. But the Stamps would not die as Winnipeg netminder Scott Parsons' would mis-handle behind his own net and Jordan Valentino would capitalize and make it 6-3 Blues after 2 periods.

But that's as close as they would get as Brett Brooks would ice it into the empty late in the 3rd to help the Blues to the Game 4 and Series victory with a 7-3 win.

Graham Hunt stopped 16 of 21 shots in the losing cause, while Lasse Petersen made 4 saves on 5 shots in his relief. Scott Parsons got his 3rd win of the season as he turned aside 32 Stamps shots.

I would like thank the Stamps for everything they did for me this season and for making it another enjoyable season. Also a best of the luck to the 3 20-year olds who are moving on:

#14 Bo Sigurdson (pictured left)

#19 BJ Avery (pictured middle)

#22 Nick Kobelka (pictured right)

Congrats on the Jr. Careers fellas and best of luck going forward.

The future looks pretty bright for the Stamps as they have a total of 19 players eligible to come back.


One Final Post Game of 14/15 with Stamps HC/GM Erik Petersen

Martin outduels O'Brien as Mils take 2-1 series lead with 2-1 win over Nipawin in Game 3

|

The Melville Millionaires became the first team in the series to win on home ice as they won Game 3 at the Horizon Credit Union Center with a 2-1 decision over the Nipawin Hawks to take a 2 games to 1 series in their Best of 7 Quarter-Final Series.

The first 2 periods would go without any goals but they were nothing short of exciting and entertaining. Both teams would also have some very good chances as for the Hawks, Garret Dunlop would take a nice feed back door from Evan Migneault but Trevor Martin (pictured right) came across and robbed him with the right pad. Then the Mils would have some glorious chances, in particular captain Allen Kilback who absolutely undressed the Hawks defenceman and went forehand, backhand but it would be denied by the paddle of Joe O'Brien.

Brennen Miller (pictured left) would finally open the scoring as just 1:45 into the 3rd period, as he would flip home a rebound over top of O'Brien for his 1st of the playoffs to make it a 1-0 Mils lead. Tyson Predinchuk would make it a 2-0 Mils advantage just under 2 minutes to go in the 3rd and that would prove be very, very useful because Kris Spriggs on a 6 on 4 advantage would get his 3rd goal of the series cut the deficit in half but that's as close as they would get as the Mils would hold on for the 2-1 win.

Trevor Martin was gunning for his 2nd shutout in a row but had it snapped with 34 seconds to go but still ended off stopping 25 of 26 shots for the win while in a losing cause Joe O'Brien was sensational making 33 saves.

So the Mils who have the 2-1 series lead, will visit the Nipawin Hawks on Wednesday night for Game number 4. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30 from the Cage in Nipawin.

Jamie Fiesel's Post Game Comment below

Wayway' Swan Valley both pushed the brink after Game 3 losses on the road

The Wayway Wolverines will need to win to stay alive on Wednesday in their Best of 7 MJHL Quarter-Final series after they were shutout 8-0 by the Portage Terriers on Sunday night.

Davis Ross would open the scoring early on in the 1st on the power play as he would go high on Brandon Holtby to make it 1-0. It would stay like that until the late stages of the 1st when Shawn Bowles would finish off a nice passing play and put home his 3rd of the post season to make it a 2-0 Terrier lead after 20 minutes

The Terriers would blow things open once again in the middle frame as they would get goals from Tyler Jeanson, Matt Alexander, Chase Faulkner and Dane Schioler to help the home team to take a 6-0 strangle hold after 2 periods.

The number 1 ranked team in the nation wouldn't take long to add to their lead as just 18 seconds into the 3rd frame on a 5 on 3 power play, Matt Alexander would hammer home his 2nd of the night, before Shawn Bowles would get his 2nd of the evening late to give Terriers a 8-0 win on home ice.

Zac Robidoux made his 1st start of the season and made 27 saves for the win while Brandon Holtby made his 2nd straight start in goal and stopped 28 shots in the losing cause.

The Wolverines now on the brink of elimination will look stay alive on home ice on Wednesday when they host Portage for Game 4 at 7:30 MB time at the Wayway Arena Complex.


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Our other local Manitona Junior A team is also a loss away from having their season come to an end as the Swan Valley Stampeders in another close one fell 5-3 on the road to the Winnipeg Blues.

Linden McCorrister, Daylan Creasy and Carter Johnson had the goals for the Stamps while Graham Hunt stopped 22 shots in the losing cause.

Brett Brooks led the way offensively for the Blues with 1G 2A, while Mitch Hansen had 2 goals and Taeron Lewis and Mack Heisinger had singles for Winnipeg. Brian Archibald made 16 saves in his first start of the series.

Stamps will need a win to stay alive on Tuesday night when they host the Blues for Game  4 of their Quarter-Final series. GX94 will broadcast they game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff hockey, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30 Mb time.

Martin's 33 save shutout helps Mils even series at 1-1, with a 3-0 win in Nipawin.

The Melville Millionaires were able to put together a good rebound effort in Game 2 on Saturday night as they blanked the Nipawin Hawks 3-0 to even their Best of 7 SJHL Quarter-Final at 1-1.

The Mils would be able to keep their good pace going through the whole opening period and they would be able to convert with the powerplay as Tyson Predinchuk would bat home his 1st of the postseason to give the Mils a 1-0 lead after 1 period. Shots 15-9 Mils

In the 2nd, the Mils would start off that period much better than they did one night ago as just 2:50 in, Dalton Menke would jam home a powerplay marker to make it a 2 goal lead for the moneymen. It would stay like that until Greyson Reitmeier would take a nice feed in the left circle and go top shelf on Joe O'Brien for his 1st to give Melville a 3-0 after 40 minutes. Shots after 2, 26-24 Melville.

In the 3rd, the Mils would go into lockdown mode as they were able to keep the Hawks offence at bay and there would be no more scoring happening in the 3rd, to give the Mils a 3-0 road victory over Nipawin.

Mils netminder Trevor Martin (pictured above) stopped all 33 shots he faces for his 1st SJHL playoff shutout while Hawks goalie Joe O'Brien make a total of 30 shots in a losing cause.

The Best of 7 Quarter-Final series, is now tied up at 1-1 with Game 3 going on Sunday in Melville. GX94 will broadcast that game as well with Yorkton Dodge Junior Hockey, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30 from the Horizon Credit Union Center.

Mils; Wolverines & Stamps all lose on Friday Night in Quarter-Finals

The Melville Millionaires got off to an early 1-0 lead but thats the only lead of the night they would get as they dropped Game 1 on home ice, 4-2 to the visiting Nipawin Hawks.

The Mils would be the team that would get on the board first as Mark Zvonkovic would lead a 2 on 1 and elect to shoot and he would be Joe O'Brien short side to give the Mils an early 1-0 lead. But just 1:18 later, Kris Spriggs would go top shelf glove side over Trevor Martin for his 1st of the post season to tie things up at 1-1. Then late in the opening frame, Spriggs would add his 2nd of the period right off the face off and slip it some how through the Mils goaltender to make it a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

In the 2nd it would be all Hawks as they would out shoot the Mils 9-2 in the middle frame but both teams wouldn't be able to hit the back of the net, to keep it a 2-1 after 2 periods.

It wouldn't take the visitors long to add to their lead as Carter Coben would score a similar one to the Hawks' first goal going top shelf for his 1st, to make it a 3-1 lead. The Mils would make it interesting with just 3:23 to go as Mitch Lipon would sneak one home to get the Mils to within 1 at 3-2. But it would be Evan Migneault icing it into the empty net in the final minute to give the Hawks a 4-2 opening game victory over the Mils.

Joe O'Brien wasn't too busy on the night but did stop 16 shots for the win, while Trevor Martin made 28 saves in the loss.

The Mils will look to even up their Best of 7 series, as they visit the Hawks on Saturday night. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Juniro Hockey, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30.

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Over the MJHL,

The Swan Valley Stampeders surrendered 3 3rd period goals as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Winnipeg Blues to now go down 2 game to none in their Best of 7 series.

Tristan Langan had the lone goal for the Stamps while Jackson Keane, Brett Brooks and Maverick Rafter replied for the Blues.

Graham Hunt made 31 saves in the loss, while Scott Parson stopped 23 shots to get his 2nd win of the post season.

The Stamps and Blues will play Game 3 on Sunday night at 6:30 MB time back in Winnipeg.


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The Wayway Wolverines once again had a tough night against the nation's best teams as they dropped a 9-0 Game 2 on home ice.

With Mitch Wiebe out of the line up, Brandon Holtby got the start and made 29 saves in the loss.

The Wolverines will look to get back in this Quarter- Final series as they are down 2-0 and will visit Portage on Sunday. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Juniro Hockey, pregame 6:20 pxp at 6:30 mb time

Local product Campbell will wear Canadian colors at World Women's Hockey Championships in Sweden

                                                           (from Twitter: @boof_campbell)

The upcoming I-I-H-F World Women's Hockey Championships will have a little bit of local flavour involved in it.

Local product and 22 year old Jessica Campbell will once again don the Red and White of Team Canada at the event that will take place from March 28th to April 4th in Malmo, Sweden.

This will be Campbell's first World Championship with the Senior Women's team but it won't be the first time that she has represented our country.

She has also wore the red and white at the World under 18 and Under 22 championships and was apart Canada's entry in this past fall's 4 Nations Cup where they won the Gold medal.

Campbell also just completed her first season with the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women's Hockey League where in 21 games she had 12 goals and 5 assists for 17 points.

Jessica Campbell and Team Canada will open up the World's on March 28th against the defending champion Team USA.

SJHL Quarter-Finals-- #3 Melville Millionaires vs. #6 Nipawin Hawks

"SJHL Quarter-Final Series"

3rd- Melville Millionaires (26-26-2-2) = 56 points vs 6th. Nipawin Hawks (33-17-2-4) = 74 points
         (Viterra division Champions)

"Regular Season Head to Head"

Oct 31st/14- Melville over Nipawin 3-2
Nov 25th/14- Nipawin over Melville 6-5
Dec 16th/14-Nipawin over Melville 4-3 (OT)
Jan 13th/15- Nipawin over Melville 2-1

Mils: 1-2-1
Hawks: 3-1-0

Top Scorers (Regular Season)
Millionaires:

#22 Lane Harbor- 53GP 24G 16A= 40 points
#23 Reed Murray - 55GP 11G 23A= 34 points
#20 Landon Farrell- 54GP 12G 13A= 25points
#10 Dalton Menke  - 56GP 12G 13A= 25 points
#21 Brennen Miller- 55GP 9G 16A= 25 points

"Goaltending"

#34 Trevor Martin-- 10-9-2 record   3SO   2.15GAA    0.929SV %
#35 Josh Bykowski--  2-5-0 record,  2.81GAA    0.918SV %


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Hawks:
#22 Kris Spriggs - 55GP 19G 37A= 56 Points
#14 Garett Dunlop - 49GP 18G 35A=  53 Points
#11 Chase Thudium - 55GP 18G 26A= 44 Points
#20 Carter Coben - 55GP 21G 16A= 37 Points
#61 Carter Danczak- 55GP 18G 15A= 33 Points


"Goaltending"

#29 Jesse Fontaine -- 1-1-0 record  4.36GAA   0.864SV%
#1 Joe O'Brien -- 24-12-3 record   2SO    2.51GAA    0.926SV%


Special Teams (Regular Season)
Power Play:
Melville-- (12th- 12.6%)
Nipawin-- (3rd-  20%)

Penalty Kill:
Melville-- (7th- 82.9%)
Nipawin-- (8th- 79.8%)


SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1- Fri. March 13th- Nipawin  @ Melville 7:30pm (GX94)

Game 2- Sat. March 14th- Melville @ Nipawin  7:30PM (GX94)

Game 3- Mon. Mar 16th- Nipawin @ Melville 7:30PM (GX94)

Game 4- Wed. Mar 18th- Melville @ Nipawin 7:30pm (GX94)

Game 5- Fri. Mar 20th- Nipawin @ Melville 7:30  **

Game 6- Sun. Mar 22nd- Melville @ Nipawin **

Game 7- Tues. Mar 24th- Nipawin @ Melville 7:30

**If Necessary

*GX94- (GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff)

=================================

Analysis:

       Going into this series, despite the Mils being seeded higher than the Hawks, the Viterra division champs will be going into this Quarter-Final match-up as the underdog as they ended the regular season with 18 points less then their opponents.

      The Moneymen ended off the regular season with a couple big victories over Estevan Bruins to capture the division, and it gave them a little bit of momentum heading into their first round series.

    Upfront, the Mils have been led all season by 20 year old Lane Harbor who help the Mils solidify that win in the regular season finale with a 4 goal performance to give him a team leading 24 goals. Harbor is benefiting from having his linemate back and healthy in Captain Allen Kilback who had 4 assists in the final 2 games. The Mils will also need a big playoff performance once again from the likes of Landon Farrell and Reed Murray, a couple of guys who were dominated one year ago. Tyson Predinchuk and Mitch Lipon, a couple of very offensively skilled players sent down from the WHL, will need to chip in offensively and try ignite the Mils PP.

For the Hawks, their offense is as balanced as you'll get in the SJHL as they have 16 players who had at least 10 points during the regular season led by 19 year old Kris Spriggs who nearly doubled his goal total from last year and also SJHL Rookie of the Year Garrett Dunlop who can take over a series when he wants. Chase Thudium, and veterans Carter Coben & Carter Danczak can also put the puck back in the net when they want.

The most instriguing battle and the difference of the series could be between Top Goalie Finalist Joe O'Brien and Mils netminder Trevor Martin. O'Brien has showed with his stats and ability that he is one of the top goaltenders in the league but the Mils have had success against him so far this season while the 18 year old Martin has showed signs of brilliance and stole games for the Mils this year and if he can play to the ability he had to start his SJHL career it could go a long way to where this series goes.

Another HUGE key for the Mils will be their PP that ended the series in last place at only 12%, which is unlike a Jamie Fiesel powerplay, if this power play can find its groove and break through the Mils will be victorious.



Mils Coaches Show/ Series Preview with Mils Head Coach/ GM Jamie Fiesel

Swan Valley; Wayway both lose Game 1 of MJHL Quarter-Finals on the road

The Swan Valley Stampeders got off to a great start to their Game 1 getting an early 2-0 lead but they weren't able to hold as they dropped the opening game of their first round series by a score of 5-3 to the Winnipeg Blues at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg.

Colton Brausen got the ball rolling for the Stamps as he banged home his 1st of the playoffs to make it a 1-0 lead. Then just a short time later Tristan Langan would sneak one through goalie Scott Parsons for his 1st to make it a 2-0 Swan Valley lead after 20 minutes.

After the Stamps got 2 in the opening period, the Blues would counter with 2 back of their own in the middle frame. Jackson Keane, a UND commit would go top shelf on Graham Hunt to cut the lead in half just 7:03 into the 2nd. Just over 3 minutes later, it would be big Garrett Browning's turn to get into the act as he hammered his 1st of the post season to tie things up at deuces after 2 period.

Liam Bilton would give the home team their first lead of the night as he scored a beauty splitting the Stamps D then finished it off short side high on Hunt to make it 3-2. Maverick Rafter would once again go high over the right shoulder of the Swan goalie to increase their lead to 2 at 4-2. The Stamps would make it interesting with 9:44 to go as on the PP, Jordan Valentino's long point shot would get through some traffic and hit the back of the net to make it a one game once again. But in the final minute, Blues sniper Kamerin Nault would ice it into the empty net to help the Blues draw first blood in this series with a 5-3 Game 1 victory.

Blues' goalie Scott Parsons stopped 15 of 18 shots to get the win, while Graham Hunt made 26 saves in the losing cause.

The Blues who now have a 1-0 series lead, will visit the Stampeders on Friday night for Game 2, Puck drop is 7:30 MB time from the Centennial Arena in Swan River

Game 1 Recap with Stamps HC/GM Erik Petersen

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Also on Wednesday night in Portage, the Wayway Wolverines weren't able to get anything going on the road as they dropped their opening game of their Best of 7 series as they hammered 7-1 by the Portage Terriers.

Robert Briem had the lone goal for Wayway, while Carson Perreaux (2G 1A) and Grant Valiquette (3A) had 3 points each for the Terriers to lead the way.

Mitch Wiebe made 18 saves on 23 shots before he left with an injury then Brandon Holtby came in and made 15 saves in relief. Justin Laforest was victorious making 24 saves in the win.

The Wolverines will look to even things up in their series on Friday when they host the Terriers for Game 2, 7:30 MB from the Wayway Arena Complex.

MJHL Quarter-Final Preview- 6th. Swan Valley Stampeders vs. #3 Winnipeg Blues

"MJHL Quarter-Final Series"

6th- Swan Valley Stampeders (28-26-6) = 62 points vs 3rd. Winnipeg Blues (38-15-7) = 83 points

"Regular Season Head to Head"

Sept 27th/14- Winnipeg over Swan Valley 6-2
Oct 17th/14- Swan Valley over Winnipeg  5-2
Oct 18th/14- Winnipeg over Swan Valley 4-3
Nov 23/14- Swan Valley over Winnipeg 2-1
Feb 8th/15- Winnipeg over Swan Valley 6-1
Feb 22nd/15- Winnipeg over Swan Valley 6-1

Stampeders: 2-4-0
Blues: 4-2-0

Top Scorers (Regular Season)
Stampeders:

#9 Tristan Mullin- 58GP 24G 28A= 52 points
#11 Braydon MacDonald - 59GP 19G 26A= 45 points
#17 Carter Johnson- 60GP 17G 28A= 45points
#19 BJ Avery - 59GP 18G 18A= 36 points
#22 Nick Kobelka-- 56GP 16G 20A= 36 points

"Goaltending"

#29 Graham Hunt- 23-25-0 record  4SO   3.07GAA    0.915SV %
#35 Lasse Petersen- 5-7-0 record,  3.40GAA    0.912 SV %


--------------------------------------------

Blues:

#8 Kamerin Nault - 57GP 33G 38A= 71 Points
#14 Brett Broooks - 58GP 23G 39A=  62 Points
#12 Jackson Keane - 50GP 20G 40A= 61 Points
#19 Liam Bilton - 55GP 25G 27A= 55 Points
#10 Scott Rowswell- 56GP 27G 21A= 48 Points


"Goaltending"

#30 Brian Archibald-- 10-2-0 record   1SO  2.70GAA   0.906SV%
 #35 Scott Parsons--  23-17-0 record   3SO    2.63GAA    0.903SV%


Special Teams (Regular Season)

Power Play:
Swan Valley-- (9th- 14.6%)
Winnipeg-- (3rd-  20.7%)

Penalty Kill:
Swan Valley-- (10th- 77.9%)
Winnipeg-- (4th- 83.6%)


SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1- Wed. Mar 11th- Swan Valley @ Winnipeg  7:30pm

Game 2- Fri. March 13th- Winnipeg @ Swan Valley 7:30pm

Game 3- Sun. March 15th-  Swan Valley @ Winnipeg  6:30pm

Game 4- Tues. Mar 17th-Winnipeg @ Swan Valley 7:30PM

Game 5- Fri. Mar 20th- Swan Valley @ Winnipeg 7:30pm **

Game 6- Sun. Mar 22nd- Winnipeg @ Swan Valley 6:00pm **

Game 7- Mon. Mar 23rd- Swan Valley @ Winnipeg 7:30pm **

**If Necessary

*GX94- (GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff)

=================================

Analysis:

         The Stamps played some pretty good hockey down the stretch to secure them 6th spot in the MJHL standings and out of the Survivor Series which gave them a little time off before their Quarter-Final match-up. Swan Valley now has a date with the defending MJHL champion Winnipeg Blues who have around a dozen returnees from last years championship team.

          1st year Stampeder Tristan Mullin, the reigning MJHL Player of the Month has had an impressive last couple months of the regular season that vaulted him to lead the Stamps in regular season with 24G and 52 points and they hope he can continue that the offensive touch in the post season. They also need the offence from likes of Carter Johnson, Braydon MacDonald, and 20 year old's Nick Kobelka & BJ Avery to step up a bit more to keep up with the Blues' high powered offence.

           For the Blues, they will come at you with 4 solid lines where there isn't much seperation from line 1 to 4. Kamerin Nault is having a breakout season with almost doubling his point total from a year ago while the likes of Brett Brooks, Liam Bilton and Scott Rowswell can all take over a game and use their good size to their advantage. Then you haven't even mentioned one of the most skilled players in the MJHL in 17 year old Jackson Keane who missed a bunch games when he was with Canada West at the World Jr. A Challenge was still able to end up with 20 goals & a 48 points and has the ability to control a series.

           When brought in last year I'm sure if Stamps fans or HC/GM Erik Petersen knew just how valuable Graham Hunt would be in his 19 year old. Hunt, who was named a 2nd team MJHL All-Star and also a finalist for MVP & Top Goalie, has single handily won games for the Stamps this season and he might have to do the same for the Swan River bunch here in the Quarter-Finals and beyond. Backup Lasse Petersen has also shown this season that he can beat the top teams and is capable to fill void if need. While for the Blues, they had a big hole to fill when Byron Spriggs graduated a year ago, and 19 year old Scott Parsons has answered that call putting together a very solid 1st season as a starter. Blues Head Coach/GM Don MacGillvary then later in the season brings in 20 year old veteran Brian Archibald to provide the Blues two goaltenders that are capable of winning in the playoffs.
            
          So all in all, I think this series is capable of being closer than most think but Swan needs to keep the goals against down as they allowed 6 goals in 3 out of 4 defeats against the Blues. Another key for the Stamps will need to be strong special teams, something that has struggled for them all season and something that might make the difference in which way this series goes.


Stamps HC/GM Erik Petersen with his quick thoughts on the Series below

MJHL Quarter-Finals Preview - #8 Wayway Wolverines vs. #1 Portage Terriers

"MJHL Quarter-Final Series"

1st. Portage Terriers (53-3-4) = 110 points vs. 8th- Wayway Wolverines (24-31-5) = 53 points

"Regular Season Head to Head"

Oct 12th/14- Portage over Wayway 6-2
Oct 18th/14- Portage over Wayway  5-2
Oct 24th/14- Portage over Wayway 6-2
Dec 7th/14- Portage over Wayway 4-2
Jan 18/15- Portage over Wayway 6-2
Feb 26th/15-Portage over Wayway  4-3 (SO)

Wayway: 0-5-1
Terriers: 6-0-0

Top Scorers (Regular Season)
Wolverines:

#10 George Spilchal- 58GP 25G 32A= 57 points
#22 Robert Briem - 54GP 23G 17A= 40 points
#17 Rylee Zimmer- 34GP 10G 26A= 36 points
#24 Johl Swedlo - 60GP 14G 17A= 31 points
#9 Dylan Gedjos- 60GP 13G 18A= 31 points

"Goaltending"

#35 Mitch Wiebe- 20-22-0 record  2S0  3.04GAA    0.905SV %
#29 Brandon Holtby- 3-9-0 record,  2.86GAA    0.908 SV %

Top Scorers (Playoffs)

#10 George Spilchal- 2GP 2G 2A= 4 points
#25 Matty Miller- 2GP 1G 1A= 2 points
#5 Montana Tanner- 2GP 1G 1A= 2 points
#14 Neil Woolfrey- 2GP 1G 1A= 2 points
#9 Dylan Gedjos- 2GP 0G 2A= 2 points

#35 Mitch Wiebe- 2W 0L   2.43GAA  0.930SV%

--------------------------------------------

  Terriers (Regular Season):

#21 Zack Waldvogel - 60GP 28G 50A= 78 Points
#9 Brad Bowles - 57GP 25G 46A=  71 Points
#15 Shawn Bowles - 55GP 25G 39A= 64 Points
#23 Jordyn Boyd - 50GP 30G 28A= 58 Points
#39 Tyler Jeanson- 56GP 23G 31A= 54 Points


"Goaltending"

#33 Zac Robidoux- 5-1 record  1SO  1.77GAA  0.927SV%
 #35 Justin Laforest--  31-3-0 record   3SO    2.13GAA    0.911%

Special Teams (Regular Season)
Power Play:
Wayway-- (4th- 20.3%)
Portage-- (2nd- 22.85%)

Penalty Kill:
Wayway-- (2nd- 86.1%)
Portage-- (1st- 88.26%)

Special Teams (Playoffs)

Powerplay: Wayway-- (1st: 2 for 6 = 33%)

Penalty Kill: Wayway-- (4th: 4 for 6 = 67%)


SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1- Wed. Mar 11th- Wayway @ Portage  7:30pm

Game 2- Fri. March 13th-  Portage @ Wayway 7:30pm

Game 3- Sun. March 15th-  Wayway @ Portage 6:30pm

Game 4- Wed. Mar 18th- Portage @ Wayway 7:30PM

Game 5- Fri. Mar 20th- Wayway @ Portage 7:30pm **

Game 6- Sun. Mar 22nd- Portage @ Wayway 7:30pm **

Game 7- Mon. Mar 23rd- Wayway @ Portage 7:30pm **

**If Necessary

*GX94- (GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff)

=================================

Analysis:

Coming off their first playoff series victory in franchise history, that win that booked them into a date with the league leading Portage Terriers in the Quarter- Final round.

The Wolverines didn't have much success against the 2015 RBC Cup hosts as they only got 1 out of  a possible 8 points but they were only seconds away in that 8th and final meeting but eventually fell in the shootout.

The Wolverines who were led during the regular season offensively by 20 year old George Spilchal and the Minnesota product continued that success in the playoffs as he had the OT winner in Game 1 vs. Dauphin then followed that up with a 2 point night in the series clinching Game 2. Also the Wolverines have been getting offense from their D, as 5 of the 7 defenceman that played in opening series, have at least a point while 3 out of Wayway's 8 goals have been scored by dman.

The Terriers are an offensive juggernaut scoring 285 goals in 60 regular season games (that just under 5 goals a game), 67 goals more thany any other team in the league. The Terrier had 6 players with at least 20 goals, led by Jordyn Boyd who had 30. They are also led by one of the best lines in junior hockey, led by 4 year veteran Zack Woldvogel who has 28 goals and 78 points to lead the way, he is flanked on that line with a pair of twins from Elkhorn  in Shawn and Brad Bowles. The Terriers D can also chip in with plenty of offence as well, MJHL Defenseman of the Year Tanner Jago had 17 goals, while D partner Kevin Pochuk who was acquired from Virden chipped in with 13.

If the Wolverines want to compete in this series they need continued strong play from Mitch Wiebe who was very solid all season and sensational in the series win over Dauphin and needs to go save for save with Justin Laforest, who was the backup with RBC Cup finalist Carleton Place Canadians last year, and had a MJHL's best 31W 3L, with a dandy 2.13GAA.

Other keys for the Wolverines to be successful is they need to be physical with the Terriers, take away their time and space, don't let their tremendous transition game going and need to continue their red hot special teams.




Wayway Coaches Show/ Quarter-Final Series Preview with Head Coach/General Manager Barry Butler

GX94's Yorkton Dodge Junior Playoff Schedule

2015 Playoff Hockey Round 1

Weds March 11- Swan Valley @ Winnipeg Blues Pre 6:20pm PXP 6:30pm SK time

Fri March 13- Nipawin @ Melville Pre 7:20pm PXP 7:30pm

Sat March 14 -Melville @ Nipawin Pre 7:20pm PXP 7:30pm

Sun March 15- WayWay @ Portage Pre 5:20pm PXP 5:30pm SK time

Mon March 16- Nipawin @ Melville Pre 7:20pm PXP 7:30pm SJHL

Tues March 17- Winnipeg Blues @ Swan Valley Pre 6:20pm PXP 6:30pm SK time

Weds March 18- Melville @ Nipawain Pre 7:20pm PXP 7:30pm SJHL

Fri March 20 TBD

Sunday March 22 TBD

Monday March 23 TBD

Tuesday March 24- Nipawin @ Melville Pre 7:20pm PXP 7:30***if necessary SJHL