Gerry's blog

Bethune versus Lanigan in Provincial ‘A’ Final….Congratulations to the Bethune Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are the third HHL team in three years to reach the Provincial ‘A’ final. Bethune will begin their best of three final on Saturday evening in Lanigan against the Pirates. Last year Lanigan was defeated 2-0 in the final by the Wynyard Monarchs. Game two will be the following Friday evening in Bethune.

League Final set…Bethune versus Wynyard…For the third time in eight seasons the Bethune Bulldogs and Wynyard Monarchs will meet in the 49^th HHL League final. Last Monday evening in Avonlea, the Bulldogs defeated the Arrows 5-1 in game two of their best of five series. Russ Nielson scored just 24 seconds into the game for the only goal of the first period.

Playoffs continue...Avonlea and Bethune advance in Provincials...Award nominees are out…Last Tuesday evening the Bethune Bulldogs opened up their playoff season with a 7-2 victory in the semi-finals against the upstart Avonlea Arrows.  Mike Reich, Shea Van Luven and Kayne Ulmer with a power play goal gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead after one period.

Wynyard Monarchs move on to semi-finals….The Wynyard Monarchs have advanced to the league semi-finals after sweeping the Lumsden Monarchs this past week. On Wednesday evening Wynyard scored six goals in the first period on their way to a 7-2 home victory. Brett Leffler had two goals and three assists to lead the way for Wynyard.

Regular season ends, playoffs begin, Provincials continue and our 50^th is coming….The Bethune Bulldogs claimed first place in the Highway Hockey League with a 7-3 victory over the Wynyard Monarchs on Wednesday evening. This was the last regular season game of the year. Russ Nielson and Matt Strueby each had a power play goal in the first period and the game was tied going into the second period.

It’s Groundhog Day and the regular season ends this week….

“Okay campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ‘cause it’s cold out there today…”

Maroons hold on to first place with two victories on weekend….A busy week for the Strasbourg Maroons saw them split games with the Balcarres Broncs in their first round Provincial series and win both games in league play. The Maroons played four games in five nights.

Three victories this week move the Bethune Bulldogs into second place….Three victories this week against the Avonlea Arrows, Lumsden Monarchs and the Strasbourg Maroons moved the Bethune Bulldogs into second place. On Wednesday evening Mike Reich had 2 goals (one PPG) and 4 assists to lead the Bulldogs to a 9-2 victory over the Avonlea Arrows.

Wynyard Monarchs come alive with seven game winning streak….Our defending champions started the year 2-4 but after three more victories this week have now moved to within two points of the Strasbourg Maroons for first place.

There were only two games played the first weekend of the New Year. On Friday evening the Wynyard Monarchs scored once in the last minute of the first period and then in the first minute of the second period and then scored four more in the third period on their way to a 6-1 victory over the Lumsden Monarchs. Lyle Ostapowich (one SHG) and Donovan Hall led the way with two goals each and Chad Mazurak and Eric Popadynec scored the other goals for the Wynyard Monarchs. Brady Aulie had the lone goal for the Lumsden Monarchs.