ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Canadiens are working hard to wrap up the first round of playoffs and have the opportunity to do so on home ice, Saturday night.
The Canadiens are taking on the Lloydminster Bandits in the first round of the North Eastern Alberta Jr. B Hockey League (NEAJBHL) playoffs. The series started in St. Paul on Feb. 17 with a win on home ice at the Clancy Richard Arena, 3-2.
The Canadiens played again the following night, winning once more in a close match that went into double overtime. The game-winning goal was credited to Isaak Watters, assisted by Kelton McAuley.
The Canadiens then hit the road for Game 3 in Lloydminster. The game was high-scoring and ultimately went in the Candiens' favour with a final score of 7-6.
With the chance to sweep the series on the road, the Canadiens battled by fell short on Feb. 22. The game would again go into overtime, but the Bandits would get the game-winner, and take their first win of the series.
The Canadiens now have the chance to wrap things up at home on Saturday night. The puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. for what should be another exciting playoff match-up.
Elsewhere in the league...
The Wainwright Bisons won their first playoff series after the Onion Lake Border Chiefs forfeited from the series, ending the Border Chief's season.
The Vermilion Tigers and Vegreville Rangers also met up in the first round of playoffs. The Tigers are leading the series 3-0 and have a chance to sweep the Rangers on Friday night.
Also playing Friday night are the Cold Lake Ice and Killam Wheat Kings. The Wheat Kings are leading that series 3-0 and have the chance to sweep the series in Cold Lake on Feb. 24.