The northern finals of the Saskatchewan U18AA playoffs are heating up.
Warman’s Trey Markus led the way with two goals and two assists to help the Wildcats even the Centre Four (Northern) finals of the Sask AA playoffs with a statement 6-2 win over the Saskatoon Riverkings at the Merlis Belsher Spectator Arena on March 19.
The team was looking to rebound after losing game one 5-4 at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex on Friday, March 17.
Head coach Doug Harms felt game two was the performance he expects and has been waiting for from his team.
“When we are playing our game we can control plays and it showed tonight. When you are putting in the full effort good stuff happens,” said Harms.
Markus got the Wildcats on the board with an unassisted goal late in the first period.
The Wildcats added to their lead with late second period goals by Ethan McLean and Carter Bergen.
They widened the gap in the third period. First Raiden Clayton found the twine on a feed from Carter Bergen and Lucas Viden, then Markus netted his second goal on the powerplay.
The Riverkings got late goals from Beckett Holzman and Fynn Herasymchuk. Jake Kessler put an exclamation mark on the Warman win, blasting a laser shot from the point for a powerplay goal.
Harms will be looking for a continued strong effort from his team.
“They are a young team. You know they are going to work hard every shift and put the pressure on us. We need to match that and try to exceed that. Our older guys should be able to add that little bit of aggression and strength to push us over the top. Our style matches up well against the Riverkings.”
Game three is set for the Warman Home Centre Communiplex on Wednesday, March 22. Game four is at the Rod Hamm Arena in Saskatoon on Saturday, March 25. Game five, if needed, will be back in Warman on Sunday, March 26.
The winner of the series will take on either Estevan or the Regina Vics for the provincial title.