While a number of other hockey leagues were “on ice”, so to speak, for the holidays, that was not the case for the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League.
It was business as usual for the SPHL this weekend, with their schedule loaded with five games. Two of the games involved back-to-back contests between the two Battlefords-based teams the Meota Combines and the Battleford Beaver Blues.
On Friday the Combines drew first blood by beating the Blues 4-2 at the North Battleford Civic Centre. The Combines got goals from Levin Floen, Brett Miller, Brody Tatchell and Blake Tatchell in the win.
In the rematch Saturday the Blues scored a 5-4 victory. Despite Brody Tatchell’s two goals and two assists for Meota, the Blues prevailed on goals from Kevin Bendall, Kolby Heidt, Cody Kalyn, Blake Oborowsky and Keegan Sparrow.
In other action around the league, Spiritwood beat Radisson 8-6 on Friday night. Anthony Radke had a hat tick for Spiritwood in that game while Scott Haggarty scored twice; Ryan Rothenburger also had two goals for Radisson.
Other Saturday action saw Maymont win on the road in Spiritwood 4-3, and Perdue stopped Glaslyn 8-6.
One more game was scheduled for Monday night as the Combines hosted the Radisson Wheatkings at the Civic Centre. That game ended up a 9-3 Combines win, with Bryce Gadzke and Vince Sauvie scoring two goals each.
As the year comes to a close the Beaver Blues hold on to first place in the league with seven wins and two losses, two points ahead of Meota who have a 6-2 record.
Five games are scheduled around the league for this weekend, including Meota hosting Maymont on Friday night.
