By TERRY PUGH
Provincial playoff hockey is back!
Nearly two dozen area hockey teams are preparing for provincial championship playoffs starting this week. The Saskatchewan Hockey Association website notes that this year, approximately 300 teams will participate in categories ranging from Under-13 D to Senior A.
Starting in January, first round series begin between teams from nearby areas of the province, and winners advance to play regional winners from other areas. Teams compete in each division further broken down by the size of the communities that teams hail from, and champions are named by the end of March.
While the senior hockey playoffs will see a best-of-three series format on three separate days, the minor hockey series are two-game affairs. If the series is tied after both games, a third ‘mini-game’ is played immediately following Game 2.
The full playoff draws for all divisions are listed online at the Saskatchewan Hockey Association website (www.hockeysask.ca).
SENIOR D
In the Senior D category, the Hague Royals of the Twin Rivers Hockey League are gearing up to take on the Kelvington Wheat Kings of the Wheatland Hockey League in a best-of-three series that begins Sunday, January 25 in Hague. Game 2 is slated for January 31 in Kelvington, and Game 3, if necessary, is set for February 1 in Hague.
The Sask Valley Hockey League’s Delisle Bruins are going up against the Unity Miners of the Cross Roads Hockey League. Game 1 takes place Saturday, January 24 in Unity. Game 2 is January 30 in Delisle and Game 3, if necessary, is February 1 in Delisle.
MALE U18A
Both the Warman Lynx and Martensville Villains teams are making a bid for the Male U18A provincial championship.
The Warman Lynx will take on the Meadow Lake Stampeders in the second round of the championship draw. The dates for the match-up have not yet been set, but the series must be completed by March 2.
The Martensville Villains will also begin their playoff run in the second round of the championship draw. They’ll play the winner of the first round playoff series between the Swift Current Broncos and the Battlefords Barons, slated for February 4 and February 11.
If both Warman and Martensville advance in their respective series, they’ll face off against each other in the third round of playoffs, which must be completed by March 16.
MALE U18B
The Hague Royals host the Kindersley Klippers on Sunday, January 25 in the opening game of a first-round playoff series for the Male U18B provincial championship. Game 2 is slated for February 2 in Kindersley.
The Delisle Bruins will go up against the Lumsden/Bethune Lions, starting Saturday, January 24 in Lumsden, with Game 2 scheduled for February 8 in Delisle.
MALE U18D
The Clavet Cougars will tangle with the Lashburn Flyers in the first round of the U18D provincial championship. Game 1 is in Lashburn on February 4, with Game 2 in Clavet on February 8.
MALE U15A
The Martensville Villains will begin their second round U15A championship series when they host the Muenster Flyers on February 13. The second game of the series is February 21 in Muenster.
The Warman Wolverines also begin their playoff quest during the second round. They host the Battleford Barons on February 15, with Game 2 in Battleford on February 22.
If both Warman and Martensville are successful in their opening series, they’ll go up against each other in Round 3, which must be completed by March 9.
MALE U15B
The Delisle Bruins will host the Tisdale Ramblers in the second round of the U15B championship series, which begins February 6 in Delisle. The second game in the series is February 15 in Tisdale.
The Dalmeny Valley Bandits begin their quest for the U15B provincial crown earlier, with a first-round match-up against the Shellbrook Elks. Game 1 is January 22 in Waldheim, while Game 2 is January 29 in Shellbrook.
MALE U15C
The Clavet Cougars take on the Porcupine Plain Posse in the first round of the U15C playoffs. Game 1 is January 31 in Clavet; Game 2 is February 7 in Rose Valley.
The Aberdeen Flames are going up against the Leoville Huskies, also in the first round of the U15C playoffs. Leoville hosts Game 1 on January 31; Aberdeen hosts Game 2 on February 8.
FEMALE U13A
The Female U13A provincial championship race also sees participation from both Martensville and Warman.
The Martensville Mavens will play the Swift Current Colts in the second round of the series, which must be completed by March 2.
The Warman Wildcats play the Prince Albert Foxes, also in the second round of the series. If both Warman and Martensville are successful, they’ll face off against each other in the third round.
MALE U13A
The Male U13A provincial championship once again sees Martensville and Warman in the mix, with both teams starting their playoff match-ups during the second round,, which must be completed by February 23.
The Martensville Marauders go up against the Meadow Lake Stampeders, while the Warman Wildcats face of against the Battleford Barons. If both Warman and Martensville advance, they’ll play each other in the third round.
MALE U13C
The Langham Vikings take on the Biggar Nationals in the first round of the U13BCprovincials, with Game 1 in Biggar on January 28. The second game is in Langham on February 1.
The Aberdeen Flames go up against the Outlook Ice Hawks, also during the first round of playoffs. Game 1 is January 23 in Outlook, while Game 2 is January 31 in Aberdeen.
MALE U13D
The Dalmeny Sabres play host to the Elrose Aces in Game 1 of the U13D first round of playoffs on January 21 in Dalmeny. Game 2 is slated for January 31 in Elrose.
The Clavet Cougars and LeRoy Braves face off in first-round playoff action on January 25 in LeRoy and February 1 in Clavet.