The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Sunday was a busy night for hockey in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with four games in the MJHL and three in the SJHL. Three Manitoba teams were eliminated on Sunday, including the OCN Blizzard. After being shut out in game five and going 0/9 on the power play, the Blizzard waited till the final minute of play on Sunday to score during a five-on-three advantage. Donald Melnyk scored for OCN at 18:57, after Kent Merriam gave the Portage Terriers a 1-0 lead earlier in the third period. The Blizzard advantage came after they were given a true hometown playoff gift, as Colin Slobodian received a charging major and a game misconduct at 16:57, and Felice Turano picked up two minutes for a hit to the head at 18:32, accompanied by a 10-minute misconduct. The head hit was on Ryan Constant, who appeared to be in a lot of pain on the ice. The Blizzard even called for a neck brace according to Jaimie Smalley, voice of Blizzard on CJ1240 in The Pas. However, Constant was on the ice in time to assist on the tying goal just 30 seconds later. Unfortunately, the North will not have a representative in the MJHL final this year, as the Terriers eliminated the Blizzard at 17:59 of double overtime on a goal by Steve Haddon. It was the second year in a row the Blizzard were eliminated by the Portage Terriers early in the playoffs. The Selkirk Steelers have advanced with a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Saints, winning the best of seven series 4-1. Adam Sergerie led the way with a pair of goals for the Steelers, while Edmond Rioux and James Knight added singles. Shane Kjernisted and Benji Husband scored for the Saints. The Winnipeg South Blues needed overtime to beat the Winkler Flyers 3-2, eliminating them from the first round in five games. Brady Hampton extended the Flyers' playoff life by scoring a goal with one second left on the clock to tie the game, but Brady Hampton's goal at 6:43 of overtime ended the game in favour of the Blues. Tyson Lewadniuk had the other goal for Winkler, while Adam Corrin and Jason Gray scored for Winnipeg South. The Neepawa Natives have taken a 3-2 lead in their series with the Dauphin Kings, beating them 3-2. Lee Magwood, Andrew Mackenzie and Derek McGregor scored for the Natives, while the Kings got goals from Chris Barth and Jaydyn Murray. In the SJHL, the Battlefords North Stars needed an extra frame to beat the Kindersley Klippers 3-2, taking a 2-0 series lead. Darren Delainey scored the overtime winner at 9:08. Brett Jullion and Michael George also scored for the Stars, who out shot the Klippers 43-31 and scored both of their regulation goals during the power play. Jade Boklaschuk and Josh Sim had the goals for the Klippers. The Estevan Bruins continue to have their way with the Humboldt Broncos. After beating them 8-1 in game one, the Stars shut out the Broncos 3-0 on Sunday. Cameron Jarvis, Bear Trapp and Chris Hammett scored for the Bruins, who out shot the Broncos 43-14. Juliano Pagliero was lightly tested on only 14 shots to earn the shut out. The Yorkton Terriers are also up 2-0 in their Conference Semifinal, shutting out the Notre Dame Hounds 3-0. That improves Yorkton's post season record to 6-0. Jason Wagar had two goals while Chris Korchinski added the single. Kevin Dziaduck made 32 saves to earn the shut out. Scholarship The Battlefords North Stars have announced that 18-year-old defenseman Derek Keller has received a full ride scholarship with the St. Lawrence Saints of the ECAC of NCAA Division I. Keller's NCAA career will begin in 2006-07, which means he returns to the North Stars to anchor their blueline next season. Keller jumped from the 'AAA' Midget ranks and right into a prominent role with the Stars this season. He quickly established himself as one of the premiere blueliners in the SJHL. Keller scored 11-goals and 33-assists in 55-games this season, finishing second amongst defensemen in scoring. His 44-points ranked fifth amongst SJHL rookies. The 5'10", 175 lbs native of Wilkie joins a club that has two former Stars and three ex-SJHLers on the current roster.ÊDrew Bagnall and Justin Pesony are former players with the Stars and Jordan Hack played for three seasons with the Melville Millionaires.
