President's Update - March 4th, 2019

The Bethune Bulldogs defeated the Raymore Rockets 5-2 on Tuesday evening in Bethune to take a 1-0 lead in their semi-final series. The Rockets scored first in this game on a goal by Brandon Giroux one minute into game and outshot the Bulldogs in the period but the Bulldogs would score twice in the last minute of the period with both goals being scored by Jake Ulmer. Tyrell Shulko would score just 27 seconds into the second period and the game was tied. The Bulldogs carried a 3-2 lead going into the third period. Nolan Curts and Mike Reich would score late in the period to make the final 5-2. Ryan Holfeld picked up the win in the Bethune net stopping 41 shots. Dean Brothen stopped 41 shots in the Raymore net. Five minor penalties were called against Bethune and four against Raymore. Game two of this series is Tuesday evening in Raymore.

The Bethune Bulldogs lost to the Balgonie Bison 5-3 on Saturday evening. The Bulldogs had a 3-1 lead heading into the third period but in a one minute splurge Balgonie scored three goals to take control of the game. Balgonie wins the series 2-0 and now face the Milestone Flyers in the south 'A' final. This is the end of the season for our teams in Provincials, however we do have some players from the Rockets playing for Wynyard and Balgonie in Provincials. This may not have been the year for the HHL in Provincials but looking back in the last few years we have had a very good run. We do nothing else but support senior hockey here and despite challenges we are facing we know how good the hockey is this time of year...this year we had four series between the HHL and QVHL in Provincial 'A' preliminary rounds and as we know the players and the communities well in this league we will of course be watching and following the QVHL as they will have a team in the Provincial final. Good Luck Balgonie and Milestone!

The Lumsden Monarchs opened up their best of five semi-final against the Southey Marlins last Friday evening in Lumsden with a 4-2 victory. The Monarchs had a 3-1 lead going into the third period and had a 22-12 lead on the shot clock. Jade Hine,  Carter Hanson and Brody Luhning with a power play goal had scored for Lumsden. Pat Thompson-Gale had scored for the Marlins. The Marlins came out blazing in the third period and took the first nine shots of the period and took 22 shots in the period. The only shot they got by goalie Bosch was a short handed marker from Pat Thompson-Gale. Brady Aulie completed the scoring with a power play goal for the Monarchs. Both goalies played well in the this game with Travis Bosch stopping 32 shots in the Lumsden net and David Perkin stopping 28 shots in the Southey net. Lumsden had five penalties and Southey had four. 

Game two of this series was played on Saturday evening in Southey and there was a lot similar to this game as compared to game one. Jade Hine scored his second goal of the series and Liam Brennan and Steve Turner scored on the power play and the Monarchs had a 3-0 lead going into the third period. Cue the Marlins....Pat Thompson-Gale scored early in the period and then Rylan Freed and Travis Mohr scored later in the period to send this game to overtime. With 16 seconds remaining in the first overtime period Brody Luhning scored and the Monarchs had a 2-0 lead in the series. Travis Bosch picked up the win in the Lumsden net and David Perkin was in the Southey net. This game was a long way away from the early season game these two teams played with no penalties called as the Marlins had ten minor penalties, one misconduct and one game misconduct. The Monarchs were assessed five minor penalties. Game three of this series is next Friday in Lumsden.

Thank you for supporting the Highway Hockey League and senior hockey. Get out to a game near you. Please follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HighwayHockey

Gerry