President's Update - March 3rd, 2014

Semi Finals begin in Cupar….

Semi-Finals in the Highway Hockey League began Sunday evening in Cupar. The Wynyard Monarchs fresh off a Provincial win over the Balgonie Bisons used a power play opportunity six minutes into the third period to defeat the Canucks 4-3 in game one of their best of 5 semi-final series. Brett Leffler scored his second goal of the game on that power play to give the Monarchs the lead and the win. Bryan Kauk and Leffler scored first period goals for the Monarchs and Donovan Chow and Davis Brown on the power play scored for the Canucks in the first period and this game was tied going into the second period. In the second period Bryan Kauk would score his second goal of the game and put the Monarchs back in the lead going into the third period.  In the third period a goal by Tyler Stewart tied the game up for the Canucks. Bryan Kauk would score his second goal of the game just five minutes later on the power play and the Monarchs would hold on for the victory in game one of this series. Dave Perkin picked up his third playoff win of the year in net for the Monarchs and Jamie Wutke had his first loss in net for the Canucks. The Monarchs were assessed nine minor penalties in the game and the Canucks had six minor penalties. Games two and three are now in Wynyard on Wednesday evening and on Friday evening.

The Avonlea Arrows defeated the Bethune Bulldogs on Saturday evening 6-3 and won their provincial ‘D’ series 13-4 against the Bulldogs. These two clubs will begin their semi-final HHL series on Tuesday evening in Avonlea. The balance of the schedule will be posted shortly. The Arrows will now face the Gull Lake Greyhounds in a Provincial ‘D’ semi-final best of three series.  Game one is this Friday in Gull Lake at 8:30 p.m. with game two the following weekend on Saturday evening the 15th in Avonlea at 8:00 p.m.

The Wynyard Monarchs scored twice in the third period and then Rob Hillier scored early in overtime and the Wynyard Monarchs won game two 5-4 and the series 2-0 against the Balgonie Bisons on Friday evening. The Monarchs now play the Bienfait Coalers in the Provincial ‘A’ semi-final best of three series. Games times will be posted shortly and will be posted here and under “Upcoming Games”.

Gerry Tomkins

HHL President

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