The Battleford Beaver Blues finished fifth in the regular season and were considered underdogs to repeat as Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League champions, but after two series sweeps they are three wins away from raising the trophy once again.
The Beaver Blues pulled off the semifinal series sweep over the Maymont Settlers with a 6-3 win in Maymont Tuesday.
Martin Smith had two goals for the Beaver Blues while Roddy Hoffman, Jordan Keller and Blaine Weber also scored. Mitch Hawtin was the winning goalie while Spencer Laycock surrendered five goals in 38 minutes and Matt Leitner played the remaining 12 minutes.
Saturday in Battleford, in game two, the Beaver Blues scored in overtime to capture the 5-4 win. The Beaver Blues tied the game late in the third period, on a goal that was initially waved out because it was batted into the net. After the officials discussed the play the goal stood and the game was tied. Daxin Collins, Devin Esquirol, Scott Maunula, Brent Salzl and Keegan Sparrow tallied for the Beaver Blues while Kinley Sevick led the way for Maymont with two goals. Colby Beierle and Keenan Bettis scored single markers.
Game one of the series was played Friday in Maymont and the Beaver Blues won the series opener 8-2. Salzl had three goals. Collins, Smith, Keller, Maunula and Brett Michnik had the other goals for Battleford.
The Beaver Blues now await their opponents in the final, as the second overall Cut Knife Colts and third place Spiritwood Timberwolves were tied 1-1 in the series heading into Thursday's game.
Friday on home ice the Colts won 4-3. Kirk MacDonald, Karsten McCrea, Basil Mosquito and Ryan Constant scored for Cut Knife. Tim Amendt scored twice for Spiritwood while Quentin Tipewan had the other goal.
Tuesday in Spiritwood, the Timberwolves won the game 5-2. Steven Jim led the way with two goals and Tipewan, Tyler Kuzma and Brad Doucette scored a goal each.
Game four of this series will be Saturday in Spiritwood and if necessary game five will be played Sunday in Cut Knife.
