By TERRY PUGH
Five minor hockey teams from Warman, two from Martensville and three from Delisle are looking to bring provincial championship banners back to their home barns before the end of March.
The Warman Female U15AA Wildcats will advance to the provincial final after defeating the Saskatoon Comet Impact two games to one in the northern semi-final.
The Martensville U18AA Marauders are taking on the Saskatoon Riverkings in the north division final series after sweeping the Saskatoon Sabrecats in two straight games. The winner of this semi-final series goes on to the provincial final.
The Warman U15AA Wildcats will tangle with the Prince Albert Pirates in the north division final series, after sweeping the Northwest Stars in two straight games. The Wildcats have dominated the U15AA north division this season. Three players on the team have had outstanding seasons: Jesse Scriven was the top scorer, netting 50 goals and adding 46 assists for a toal of 96 points; Cullen Stephenson was number two in scoring with 38 goals and 50 assists for 88 points; and Cole Nakrayko was number six in the scoring standings with 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points.
The Martensville U13AA Marauders are going up against the Saskatoon Titans in the next round of playoffs after downing the Saskatoon Express two games to one in the previous series.
The Warman U15A Wildcats are just one win away from a provincial championship crown after recording a 6-2 win over the Prairie Storm on Saturday, March 14. The return match on Friday, March 20 is slated for the Balgonie arena.
The Warman U13A Wildcats, meanwhile, are looking to claw their way back after dropping their initial provincial championship series game against the Prairie Storm in Balgonie 4-3 on Saturday, March 14. The return match on Sunday, March 22 will give the Wildcats home ice advantage. Game time is 2:00 p.m.
The Warman Female U13A Wildcats, meanwhile, are gearing up for the provincial final series against the Estevan Bearcats. The Wildcats rebounded from an 8-6 loss in their opening game against the Swift Current Colts on March 7 to win two straight match-ups on March 13 by scores of 5-2 and 2-0 to win the semi-final series. The dates and times of the Warman-Estevan championship series can be found on the Hockey Sask website.
The Delisle U15B Bruins are slated to tangle with the Moosomin Rangers in the provincial championship final series after winning a tough three-game semi-final series against the Biggar National Outlaws last weekend.
Biggar won the opening game 5-2 on March 8, but Delisle earned two decisive victories on March 14 by scores of 8-3 and 4-0 to punch their ticket to the final. The dates and times of the final series are posted on the Hockey Sask website.
The Delisle Female U13B Bruins are slated to play the Lumsden Lynx in the provincial championship series after downing the Clavet Cougars in two straight games. Game 1 of the series is in Lumsden on March 22 and Game 2 is back in Delisle on March 28.
The Hague Royals came close to punching their ticket to the provincial Senior ‘D’ provincial championship last weekend, but were edged 2-1 by the Macklin Mohawks in the third and deciding game of the northern semi-final playoffs.
The Martensville U18A Villains also suffered a disappointing end to their playoff hopes on Saturday, March 14 when they dropped a 1-0 decision to the host Meadow Lake Stampeders in the deciding game of the northern semi-final series.