The Assiniboia Senior Rebels and the Mossbank Blades each grabbed the lead in the Notekeu League playoffs. After the February 17-18 weekend, both teams had a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.
The Senior Rebels edged out the Glentworth Thunder 3-2 in a tense high tempo game on February 17. The Assiniboia Civic Centre was packed with boisterous fans cheering on both teams, which created an exciting atmosphere. The Rebels stayed ahead on the scoreboard throughout the game, but the Thunder had the momentum.
The Thunder kept dogging the Rebel players, and took every opportunity for a body check to wear down the Rebels. After a scoreless first period, Colton Lethbridge and Chase Dahlman put the Rebels ahead in the second period with two goals. Keane Wilson scored for the Thunder.
The Thunder piled on the pressure on the home team in the third period, by outshooting them 35-23 by the end of the game. As the third period got underway Zack Evans scored putting the Rebels ahead 3-1. The noisy Glentworth fans cheered their team on to score and Cam Schafer of the Thunder put one in the back of the net.
The last three games of the best-of-seven series continue on Friday to Sunday, February 24-26. Mossbank hosts Coronach and Assiniboia hosts Glentworth on Friday, February 24. The series continues at the Coronach Sportsplex and Glentworth Rink on Saturday, February 25, then returns for a final game on Sunday, February 26 in Assiniboia and Mossbank.
