Farmers in playoff battle with Pilots
- Details
- Published on Monday, February 18, 2013
By: Lanny Stewart
myWestman.ca
The Neepawa Farmers are well aware of what's at stake in their next Tiger Hills Hockey League playoff game against the Pilot Mound Pilots.
After trading victories over the weekend, the Farmers and Pilots will play Game 3 of the best-of-five East Division semifinal series on Friday night at the Yellowhead Centre.
"It's huge," said Farmers blueliner Rodney White regarding Game 3. "We have to come out hard and not let off."
Cam Tibbett scored twice for the Farmers on Saturday, helping the Farmers win Game 1 of the series by a score of 5-4 in Neepawa. The Farmers however would drop a 6-1 decision the next night in Pilot Mound and now will look to rebound on home ice -- hoping to gain the 2-1 game advantage in what has become a best-of-three affair.
"They are a big physical team," said White. "They played really well (in Game 2). They kept their mistakes to a minimum and made the easy plays."
White believes the Farmers have yet to play up to their potential thus far this season and credited the club's starting goaltender Brad Nelson for his efforts in both games against the Pilots.
"We have yet to play our best hockey," said Grant. "Brad (Nelson) has been our best player by far in both games and we need to produce more offensively and defensively in front of him."
Farmers manager/player Sheldon Grant said the club was "flat-footed" most of the night in Game 2 and he's hoping Neepawa can put forth a solid effort in front of the home crowd.
"It's a working man's league. Heading into Game 3 it's simple, play our game the way we played all year -- get to the puck first and score on our chances."
Game time for Game 3 is set for 8:30 p.m. Game 4 will be played in Pilot Mound on Saturday, while Game 5 (if necessary) will be played on Sunday (time yet to be determined).
"It's been great hockey to be a part of and to watch," said Grant. "We need the community to support us."
Plainsmen up 2-0 over Cougars
Meanwhile, in the other East Division semifinal, the Carberry Plainsmen have a 2-0 lead in their series over the Swan Lake Cougars.
In the West Division, the Deloraine Royals lead the Hartney Blues 2-0 in their series, while the Souris Elks -- who finished the regular season with the best overall record -- will move on, sweeping their series over the Wawanesa Jets.
