The Battleford Beaver Blues and Meota Combines find themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum in their respective Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League quarter-final series.
While the Beaver Blues hold a 2-0 advantage over the Glaslyn North Stars in their best-of-five affair, the Combines are one loss away from having their season come to an early end after a pair of 5-3 losses to the Shellbrook Silvertips.
“We’ve had two solid periods in both games and then we’ve had some mistakes that have proven costly for us,” Combines forward Kyle Gregoire said. “We fell behind 3-0 in the first period in Shellbrook Friday and then we allowed them to score three goals in six minutes Sunday at home.
“I feel like we’ve played well in both games so far and it’s going to be one goal games for the rest of the series.”
Brett Robillard led the way for the Silvertips Friday with two goals, while Josh Elliot, Brett Mason and Noah McPherson also scored for the defending SPHL champions.
Bo Gervais, Dayne Iverson and Scott Maunula found the back of the net for the Combines in the loss.
Sunday night’s rematch at the Civic Centre saw Mason and Elliot each score twice, while Nate Martin picked up his first goal of the playoffs.
“The boys are rolling right now,” Mason said. “We had some momentum towards the end of the regular season, and if we get one more win we have a spot in the next round.
“Everyone’s working hard at the moment. We’re playing well in our own end and we’re just shooting pucks on net, which is allowing us to get some goals.”
Vince Sauvie, Michael Pylypow and Gregoire all scored for the Combines in the loss.
Both teams will be back in action Wednesday night in Shellbrook at 8:30 p.m., with the Combines needing to win to bring the series back to North Battleford for a fourth game Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The date for fifth and deciding contest in Shellbrook, if needed, has yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, the Beaver Blues took control of their series with a 3-2 double overtime triumph in Glaslyn Friday night.
Brent Salzl had two goals and an assist in the victory while Mike George had a goal and an assist.
Ty Anderson and Kris Bloom both scored for the North Stars in the home defeat.
The series began at Battleford Arena a night earlier, with the Beaver Blues coming out on top by a score of 8-2.
“It’s always good to get the win at home,” Slazl said. “We didn’t quite start the way we wanted to, but we regrouped and got better as the game went along.
“We finally started to connect with our passes and we were moving the puck pretty well out there,” Beaver Blues defenceman Traye Tkachuk added. “It got a little physical a few times, but that’s what you can expect at this time of the year.”
George led the way on offence with a goal and four assists, while Cody Danberg scored two goals.
Dillon Friesen, Mike Nelson, Mitch Phillips, Ryan Whyte and Tkatchuk also scored for the home team.
The Beaver Blues can wrap up the series Thursday night in a 7:30 p.m. clash at the Battleford Arena.
If needed, a fourth game would take place in Glaslyn at 8 p.m. Saturday, while a fifth and deciding contest would occur in Battleford Sunday at 1 p.m.
Elsewhere, the top-ranked Hafford Hawks advanced to the semifinals after a three-game sweep over the Cut Knife Colts.
The Edam Three Stars hold a 2-0 series lead over the Maymont Settlers and can complete the series sweep Friday in Edam.
