The Lions hit their first round of playoffs and provincials hard, and hit them well as their first round of the playoffs against the Biggar Nationals left the Nationals more than a little dazed and round one of Provincials ended with an exciting, nail-biter victory over the Shaunavon Badgers.
The playoffs started with a bang for the Lions as the Bigger Nationals, 2-time game stealer from the Lions during regular season, took the other end of the scoreboard in a tight game 2-1 in overtime on February 1. The stage was set for another tough game, but the Lions didn’t let the Nationals get started.
“The guys were able to put their memory of the losses from the Nationals to good use,” Coach Wayne Sampson noted. “We knew what we had to do to beat ‘em and we went out and did it.” The Lions skated off the ice with flying colours in a 5-1 take-over of the best-of-the-three series.
As the Lions next faced their first round of provincials, several new players were added to the Lions roster, listed below as follows:
- Forward Andrew Dommett (SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers, ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits)
- Forward Dylan Smith (SJHL’s Estevan Bruins, Senior AAA Rosetown Redwings)
- Forward Travis Statchuk (BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks, NCAA’s Ohio State University)
- Defenceman Bryton Sayers (WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Victoria Royals)
- Defenceman Chris Forsman (BCHL’s Powell River Kings, former Red Lions defender for 6 seasons)
- Goaltender Jeff Malcolm (AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack, ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits)
Many of the new roster were able to test their mettle at the first provincial game on a best of the three round with the Shaunavon Badgers. The newly formed Lions team flew their colours well as the Lions’ home fans were treated to a 5-1 game Lions’ favour last Sunday.
Last Friday was set to be even more exciting as the Shaunavon Badgers were ready to turn the series back into their favour, but Coach Sampson said the Lions were more than ready. “The Badgers were among the top of their league, we knew that they were a fast, good team and liked to strike early, and they did.”
The game was set to be a nail-biter as the teams struggled back and forth until they locked at a 4-4 tie with less than a minute left on the clock. With some fancy foot and puck work the Lions slid a 5-4 goal with less than 40 seconds left on the clock to sweep the first round of playoffs.
“We’ve been working hard all winter so it’s exciting to see how we’ve got it together right now.” Coach Sampson credited the dedication of the players and the strong leadership of team veterans, including team captain Johnny Calkins for the Lions’ success.
The Lions will take a break from Provincial games until the Lumstone verses Milestone games have ended.
The next playoffs round will be a best of the five round with the Macklin Mohawks, who displaced the Lions in a few games during their regular season. The victory-laden Lions will again have a tough fight ahead of them. Game one will be on Sunday, at the Macklin & District Complex and will be followed by a home game next Wednesday, February 21 at 8:30 p.m. Further games have yet to be decided.
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