After the final weekend of the SPHL's regular season, the Cut Knife Colts finished the season in first place.
The Colts split their final two games of the season. Cut Knife travelled to Glaslyn to face off against the North Stars Jan. 29. The Colts defeated the North Stars 7-1, led by Ashton Hewson's two goals and three assists. Kenton Albert, Brayden Bertoia, Bye Braun, Stephan Douglas and Justin Pambrun also scored for Cut Knife. Tristan Deronoski scored the North Stars' only goal.
Cut Knife stayed on the road for their final game of the season. The Colts lost 5-2 to the Settlers in Maymont Sunday afternoon. Kinley Sevick had a hat trick in the Settlers' win. Myles Baptiste and Taylor Fauchoux also found the back of the net for Maymont. Hewson and Jordan Noble were Cut Knife's goal scorers.
In other SPHL action, the Radisson Wheatkings defended home ice with a 9-2 win over the Perdue Pirates Friday night. Dustin Bezugly led the offence with three goals and two assists for Radisson. Patrick Blanchette and Kelly Cronin both scored twice for the Wheatkings. Phil Barbour and Dana Derbowka were responsible for Radisson's other two goals. Garret Poletz and Keaton Silvernagle scored for Perdue.
The Settlers continued their strong play to close the season with a 10-4 win at home over the Hafford Mustangs. Kyle Litchenwald scored a hat trick and added an assist for Maymont. Sevick and Chad Bernier each had two goals in the Settlers' win. Colby Beierle, Tyler Hubbard and Scott Lange rounded out the goal scoring for Maymont. Mike Henschel scored twice, while Kyle Rivett and Ryan Schafer added goals for the Mustangs.
The North Stars won their last game of the season, beating the Shellbrook Silvertips 4-1 at home Saturday night. Mathew Arsenault, Adrian Edwards, Dustin McNabb and Trent McNabb all scored for Glaslyn. Matt Mortensen scored the only goal for Shellbrook.
Cut Knife (15-3) and Maymont (15-3) finished tied atop the SPHL's standings with 30 points apiece. The Colts won the tiebreaker to secure the first seed in the playoffs. Shellbrook (12-6) and Battleford (11-5-2) tied for third place in the standings with 24 points. The Silvertips won the tiebreaker to earn the third seed. Spiritwood (10-8) is in fifth with 20 points. Meota (9-9) is in sixth place with 18 points. Radisson (6-10-2) ended the regular season in seventh with 14 points. Glaslyn (5-12-1) landed the last playoff spot by finishing with 11 points, edging Hafford (4-12-2) for eighth place. Perdue (3-14-1) finished in last place.
In the first round of the SPHL playoffs, Cut Knife plays Glaslyn, Maymont hosts Radisson, Shellbrook takes on Meota and Battleford continues the defence of their championship against Spiritwood. All of the series are best of five games.
