BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – One week remains in the regular season and several pieces to the playoff puzzle are missing. “It’s going to be an interesting week,” quipped Martin Smith, Battlefords Stars head coach, who is underselling how wild the game of musical chairs could be in the next few days.
Here are the key storylines with the regular season ending on Sunday (Feb. 22):
- First-place is still up for grabs: The Regina Pat Canadians control their own fate with three games remaining and a one-point edge on the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors. But the Pat Cs will be without star Maddox Schultz. Home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs is at stake. Regina plays their remaining games at home: Yorkton, Prince Albert (twice). Moose Jaw finishes with three tilts on the road: Saskatoon Blazers, Warman (twice).
- Three teams in the mix for the final home-ice spot: The Saskatoon Blazers have already locked-up third place, but three teams are scrapping for fourth place – which is the final home-ice host in the first round. The Estevan Innovex Bears, Swift Current Legionnaires and Warman Wildcats are separated by two points.
- Musical chairs for the last two playoff positions: Battlefords (39 points) and Saskatoon Contacts (38) currently hold the final two spots in the playoff dance, but the Tisdale Trojans hold one game in-hand with 36 points.
Here’s a breakdown of those three teams with one week remaining:
Battlefords Stars: Upset the Estevan Bears on Sunday afternoon to take sole possession of seventh place. “I’ve liked the way everyone has raised their game. We have two huge games left and the players know what’s at stake,” said Smith. Battlefords plays Warman and the Blazers this week.
Saskatoon Contacts: After starting the season with two wins in their first 13 games, the Contacts have won six of their last nine, including scoring three unanswered goals to beat Swift Current on Sunday.
“I told our parents in our first meeting (of the year) that it is going to take some time (to see great results). We are going to play a different way and there are some things we got to learn. Did I expect that (rough) start? No. But there were a lot of factors,” said Contacts bench boss Ryan Keller. “Since Christmas, I have liked our game. We are healthy, for the most part, now and guys are playing the right way.” Saskatoon plays Notre Dame twice on the road to close the campaign.
Tisdale Trojans: An OT upset victory against Warman on Sunday kept Tisdale in the middle of the playoff fight. “We are getting great goaltending, the spirits are high and we have belief,” said Tisdale coach Wes Rudy. The Trojans finish with Prince Albert and then two in Estevan.
FINISH LINES: The first-round of the playoffs starts Feb. 28th.
(Photo credit: Sask Sports Photography.)
