The Edam 3-Stars advanced to the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League final after sweeping the second place Wilkie Outlaws and first place Maidstone Jets, now they will play the third place St. Walburg Eagles in the championship.
The Eagles eliminated Meadow Lake after two close battles Friday and Saturday. Friday, in St. Walburg the Stampeders led 2-1 after the first period, but the game was tied 2-2 by the Eagles in the second. From then on the game remained tied for two more periods and it wasn't until the second overtime when the Eagles scored to earn the 3-2 win and lead the series 2-1.
Jordan Fuder, Duane Larre and Sheldon Williamson were the goal scorers for the Eagles. Meadow Lake's offence came from Regan Beck and Calvin Fiddler. Rick Dallyn and Bryan Bridges faced off as the goaltenders once again in the game.
Saturday, in Meadow Lake St. Walburg scored three unanswered goals in the third period to take the 3-1 win. Williamson had two goals and an assist while Randy Larre had the other St. Walburg goal to clinch a berth in the final.
Dustin Gorst was the lone goal scorer for the Stampeders in the 3-1 loss.
The win advances the Eagles to the final where they will begin their best-of-seven series with Edam Friday at 8:30 p.m.
St. Walburg and Edam split their two head-to-head matchups during the regular season, as St. Walburg won 8-5 Jan. 29 and, the next day, Edam won 6-4.
Game two of the series is set for Sunday in Edam at 7 p.m. There will be a guaranteed 50/50 draw of $2,000 with the proceeds from the tickets sold going to the Wilkie Outlaws hockey team, which is suffering from three players being hospitalized after a car accident two weeks ago. One player has since been released from the hospital.
Game three of the NSRHL championship series goes Wednesday in St. Walburg. Game four will be played Friday, March 18 in Edam.
If necessary, game five will be played in St. Walburg Saturday, March 19. Game six is scheduled for Monday, March 21 in Edam and if the series goes the distance, game seven will be played Friday, March 25 in St. Walburg All games, expect game two will be played at 8:30 p.m.
