The Battleford Beaver Blues travelled to Shellbrook last night looking for a win in the final game of their opening round series.
After taking a two games to one series lead, the Beaver Blues were unable to close out the series Sunday at home.
They bounced back when it mattered however, as they doubled up the Silvertips 4-2 Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the SPHL playoffs.
The box score was not posted at press time so the goal scorers were unknown.
The second round is now set as the top-four teams from the regular season all advanced.
The top seed Hafford Hawks will take on the Beaver Blues, while the second seed Meota Combines will battle with the defending champion Cut Knife Colts.
If the regular season is any indication the Beaver Blues are in for a tough series as they dropped both games against the Hawks this year.
Nov. 22 they were on the wrong side of a 7-3 score at home.
Scot Thompson had two goals and an assist for Hafford, while Darren Delainey added a goal and two assists.
The Beaver Blues got goals from Roddy Hoffman, Brett Michnik and Mike Nelson.
Jan. 9 they kept the game closer, a 4-3 loss in Hafford.
Cody Ryan scored twice for the Hawks while Keegan Sparrow had two goals and an assist for Battleford.
The Combines split the season series against the Colts with a 6-3 loss in their season opener in Cut Knife Nov 21, before a wild 7-6 win at home Dec. 21.
In the season opener a Daxen Collins hat trick wasn’t enough for the Combines as Kolton Baptiste had a hat trick of his own for Cut Knife, with Kirk MacDonald adding a pair of goals.
Dec. 21 it was Brett Miller and Brody Tatchell each scoring four points; Miller with three goals and an assist while Tatchell scored once adding three helpers.
Ryan Baptiste did all he could to help his team to victory scoring three times and adding two assists.
Three players are tied for the playoff scoring lead with nine points with Hafford’s Delainey and Battleford’s Brent Salzl and Keegan Sparrow each sharing the top spot.
The Combines open their series tonight in Cut Knife before returning to the Civic Centre for games two and three Sunday at 5:30 and Tuesday at 8:15.
The Beaver Blues play back-to-back games in Hafford today and tomorrow before coming home for game three Wednesday.
