THHL playoffs in full swing

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Published on Tuesday, February 13, 2018

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

There was one upset in the first round of the Tiger Hills Hockey League (THHL) playoffs, as the expansion Wawanesa Jets surprised the Souris Elks with a 3-games-to-none series victory.

Wawanesa came into the playoffs as an underdog, with an 8-10-0 regular season record. Souris, meanwhile, were 11-4-3 heading into the post-season. But despite the difference in record, it was the Jets who were dominant in booking their ticket into the quarter-finals. Wawanesa will need to find some more of that underdog magic, though, as they will face the league’s top team and the defending champions, the Killarney Shamrocks. The other opening round result from the THHL Western Division include the Hartney Blues defeating the Deloraine Royals 3-games-to-zero. Hartley advances to face the Boissevain Border Kings next.

THHL Eastern Division 

The MacGregor Wild have locked in their spot in the next round of the playoffs, with a 3-games-to-1 series win over the Pilot Mound Pilots. The Wild will take on the Gladstone Lakers in the quarter-final, with that series underway on Friday, Feb. 16, with the first game in MacGregor. Games two and three will be in Gladstone, Feb. 17 and 19th respectively. If necessary, game four will be on Feb. 23 in MacGregor and game five would follow the next night in Gladstone.

Neepawa waits for opponent

The winner of the Cartwright Clippers/Minnedosa Bombers opening round series, will face Neepawa next. As of Monday, Feb. 12, the Clippers held a 2-games-to-1 series lead, after winning the first two games, 7-1 and 2-1. The Bombers bounced back with a 4-3 overtime win on Feb. 11, to cut the deficit in half. Game four will be tonight (Feb. 13) in Cartwright at 8:30 p.m. If necessary, game five will be Feb. 14., in Minnedosa. A start time for Neepawa vs. Cartwright/Minnedosa has not yet been announced.