The St. Walburg Eagles are out for revenge against the Wilkie Outlaws.
After winning their respective semifinal series, the Eagles and Outlaws meet in the NSRHL finals for the second straight year.
With their best-of-five series tied at one, the Eagles downed the Meadow Lake Stampeders 9-5 Feb. 26 to take a 2-1 series lead. With the game tied at four heading into the third period, St. Walburg scored five times in the final period to cruise to the win.
Trevor Bailey had a hat trick in the win for St. Walburg. Both Jordan Fuder and Brad Gehl picked up two goals and two assists. Kevin Nasby and Scott Thompson were the other Eagles' goal scorers. Chad Crookedneck scored twice and added an assist in the Stampeders' loss. Darren Caron, Lee Ludwig and Darren Schwartz also added goals for Meadow Lake.
St. Walburg wrapped up the series in game four with a 3-2 win in Meadow Lake Saturday night. The Stampeders led 2-1 after two periods, but the Eagles scored twice in the third to win the series. Bailey, Sheldon Williamson and Nick Wourms all scored in the series clincher for the Eagles. John Iron and Jamie Jeanotte scored the Stampeders' goals.
The Eagles have reached the finals in three of the last four years. They won the championship in 2011 by sweeping the Edam 3 Stars.
Wilkie wrapped up their series with a 7-2 win in game four of their series with Edam. The Outlaws were in front 3-2 heading into the third and sealed the game with four goals in the final frame.
Andrew Herle led Wilkie's offence with two goals and an assist. Lorne Griffiths, Mark Lorenz, Barrett Penner, Will Rathje and Brett Schell added goal for the Outlaws. Jordan Blaquiere and Mitch Wall scored in the loss for the 3 Stars.
The Outlaws look to defend their NSRHL championship in the upcoming best-of-seven series with the Eagles. In last year's final, Wilkie swept St. Walburg to win the championship. Despite the sweep, it was a close series. Game one went to overtime and game three was a one-goal game.
As for this season, it is a match-up of the top two teams in the league. Wilkie finished first in the regular season standings, five points ahead of St. Walburg. The Outlaws won the season series 3-1, but all four games were decided by one goal. Two of the meetings went to overtime, with one ending in a shootout.
It is a busy time for both teams as they are both alive in their respective SHA provincial tournaments. In the Senior C bracket, the Outlaws are matched up in a best-of-three semifinal series against Hudson Bay. The Outlaws have home ice advantage, meaning games one and three, if necessary, will be in Wilkie.
The Eagles are in the semifinals of the Senior D tournament. They meet Kelvington for a best-of-three series beginning in St. Walburg Saturday night. Puck drop is 8 p.m. If necessary, game three is back in St. Walburg March 16.
