UNITY — Excitement at the rink isn’t just because teams are getting to play provincial and league playoffs after a two-year pandemic prescribed absence, but hockey teams are amping up the excitement on the ice with some thrilling games in their quests for provincial and league titles.
The final stretch for community hockey teams has provided much excitement for the fans in the stands.
Unity’s U15 Lazers have been the talk of the town. After defeating Shellbrook Elks in a sweep in the opening series of provincial U15 B playoffs, the team met up with cross highway rivals, Wilkie Outlaws.
The U15 Wilkie series was nothing short of remarkable as both teams left it all on the ice, with overtime required for the win in the series.
Unity then was matched up against Humboldt and also defeated them in two games, putting the Lazers in the provincial northern final against Nipawin.
Fans have gotten more than their money’s worth with this provincial series, as the U15 team continues to showcase their desire to win. The team faced off against Nipawin in the opening game March 8. Fans thought Unity had captured the win with a goal in the last minute of the game, however Nipawin answered back with another goal with under 30 seconds remaining. The tie gave each team a point and has the series moving back to Nipawin March 12 for a winner-takes-all game, earning a spot in the provincial final.
Coach Tyler Gilbert tells the Press-Herald / SASKTODAY.ca, “We put together a team of well-rounded players without a definitive superstar. It’s a great work ethic in these players and they have got energy at the end of games we never used to have.”
Gilbert says in the Wilkie series, the team scored important goals late in the game and they showed they are a hungry bunch with no quit in them.
“They are playing for a championship they deserve. I have coached them since novice and I know how each kid performs and I try to work with those strengths.”
Certainly, any team will attest to the benefit of fan support. Gilbert says they are hoping to fill the rink if their team brings the provincial final back to town as there hasn’t been a championship banner hung in the arena for several years.
“This team went 1 and 4 to start the season then went three months without a loss. Team dynamics are a key to success,” affirms Gilbert.
The same U15 Lazers beat Kindersley in the opening round of league playoffs and will now face Eston, starting March 10, in round two
Macklin hockey fans have three teams left in provincials providing plenty of hockey excitement in their community and arena.
Macklin U18 continues their series against Meunster in provincial playoffs, losing the opening game 8-6. The Macklin U15 Mohawks won the opening game against Naicam by a score of 8-2 and are looking to win the provincial D U15 provincial title. The U13 Mohawks defeated Raymore by a score of 12-1 in the north provincial final, hoping also to win their way to the provincial championship final.
You can find the Hockey Sask. provincial draws on
In the Highway 14 league playoffs, all communities have teams competing for a league championship. With games happening non stop in all area rinks, the best bet to keep up with the schedules and scores is to follow their website .
The U18 Lazers, playing in league playoffs of Highway 14 league demonstrated their desire to extend their season with a game that went five periods to determine a winner with Kerrobert.
The West Central Wheat Kings continue to wow the crowds after defeating the top team in a first series sweep. They started round two against a tough Warman team and captured a win on the road sending them to a home-and-home series March 12-13. You can follow updates on the team’s quest in playoffs at
The Wilkie Outlaws are awaiting the winner of Edam and Macklin to determine who they will play in the SWHL final. The Macklin/Edam series is currently tied at two games a piece with the deciding game five played on March 12.
