Continued playoff picture zooms in for minor hockey teams

UNITY — While there's disappointment for those already eliminated in the playoff picture, things are heating up teams still vying for a provincial final spot. All teams will begin their league playoff series starting March 1 and the complete playoff bracket will be on the Hockey Sask. website.

U15 Lazers continue to shine in their provincial playoff run after defeating their first two opponents in rounds one and two and winning their opening game in round three against Humboldt, on the road. The Lazers will return to home ice for game two in this best of three series on Feb. 26. The winner of the north semi-final will earn a spot in the provincial final for this division.

U18 Lazers, were not able to overcome Clavet in their opening series and their provincial playoff season is over.

The U13 Lazers, had received a bye to the second round of their provincial series however were unable to overcome Hague in the next series so they are eliminated from provincial contention.

Kerrobert U18 Tigers are the lone minor hockey team in the community still competing in provincial playoffs. The cats defeated Hillmond in round one of their provincial series and will now face off against Macklin in round two.

The U15 Tigers were eliminated from provincials by Naicam, and the U13 Tigers lost to Meunster in their opening series.

Macklin minor hockey teams are seeing great success in their provincial quests with three teams of U18, U15 and U13 still in the hunt for a spot in their respective provincial finals.

Macklin U18 are competing in the D division of provincial playdowns and have won their way to their next series, now playing familiar rivals Kerrobert Tigers.

In the U15 division, Macklin is facing Aberdeen and, as of press time, Hockey Sask only had updates for game one, which Macklin won 9-3. The winner will face off against Naicam in round two.

In U13, Macklin received a bye to the second round and made quick work in two games of defeating Neilburg advancing them on to round three playing Muenster.

For the Wilkie Outlaws and National Outlaws (combined team with Biggar) provincial playdowns have seen the U18 team lose two games to Meadow Lake to be eliminated. Fans are still revelling in the excitement from the closely contested U15 series with Unity, even though the Outlaws were eliminated in the series.

The U13 National Outlaws are the lone team still left in the provincial playoff hunt. The team defeated Meadow Lake in two opening games advancing them to the next round of provincial playoffs against Hague in the northern semi-final, which was played in Wilkie Feb. 20. It was a tough game with Hague keeping the lead throughout the game and resulted in an 11-3 loss. The team will return to Hague for game two of the series.

All community teams from Kerrobert, Luseland, Macklin, Unity and Wilkie in the U11 and U9 divisions will experience their league playoffs in a tournament version coming up in early March.

Players appreciate fans in the stands as those teams remaining in playoff contention continue their quests for a championship banner for their home arenas.