The expansion Shellbrook Silvertips have reached the final of the SPHL playoffs by winning their best-of-five series 3-1 against the Maymont Settlers.
It was a pivotal game three Friday night. The Silvertips beat the Settlers in Maymont 5-4 to earn a 2-1 series lead.
Brendon Canaday and Josh Elliot both scored twice in the victory for Shellbrook. Jason McComas also found the back of the net for the Silvertips. The Settlers got goals from Chad Bernier, Michael Pylypow, Vince Sauvie and Nick Strain.
Shellbrook ended the series at home Saturday night by beating Maymont 6-3. Elliot had a hat trick to lead the Silvertips to the win. Devon Dicus, Nick Martin and Devon Thorpe also scored for Shellbrook. Kyle Litchenwald had two goals in the loss for Maymont. Austin Severson scored the other goal for the Settlers.
The win sets up a series between the Silvertips and the Cut Knife Colts for the SPHL championship. The Colts finished the season in first place and have rolled through their competition in the playoffs to this point. Cut Knife has outscored their opponents 39-10 through their six games played.
The teams played twice in the regular season with each team winning once. The Colts picked up a 7-2 victory at home over the Silvertips Nov. 23. Riley Albert, Stephan Dupuis and Ashton Hewson all registered two goals for Cut Knife in the win. Troy Watt scored the other goal. Thorpe and Nathaniel Martin were Shellbrook's goal scorers in a game where the Silvertips dressed only 11 skaters.
In the return matchup in Shellbrook, the Silvertips doubled up the Colts 8-4 Dec. 22. Kyle Brataschuk picked up a hat trick for Shellbrook. Dicus scored twice while Canaday, Brett Mason and Devin Waterhouse added goals. Hewson scored twice in the game for the Colts. Ryan Constant and Brandon O'Donnel also lit the lamp for Cut Knife.
The series begins March 8 in Cut Knife. Puck drop is 8 p.m.
