The Meota Combines (8-2-0-0) and Battleford Beaver Blues (6-4-0-0) each played a pair of games over the weekend, beginning with a head-to-head match up New Year’s Eve.
The biggest crowd of the season packed into a chilly Civic Centre, as an issue with the cooling system forced arena staff to leave the outside doors open.
Brody Tatchell led the way for the Combines, picking up a trio of assists, while Bo Gervais and Brett Miller each had a goal and an assist.
The chippy game that saw many after whistle skirmishes, slashes and punches came to a head when Michael Pylypow was on the receiving end of a hard hit behind the Battleford net, causing four players to drop the gloves.
Joey Carrier and O'Neil Baillargeon squared off with both players landing a number of heavy blows.
Referees eventually broke up the fights, as the players were guided to their respective locker rooms.
Pylypow also scored to help his team to victory.
Friday, the Combines were back on the ice against the Hafford Hawks (6-2-0-1) in an 8-7 barn burner.
This time it was Gervais who lead the way, as he picked up five assists for the Combines.
Tim Desjarlais, Sean Leniuk, Miller, Pylypow, Tatchell and Derek Welford all had multi-point games for Meota.
For the Hawks, Darren Delainey, Scott Linnell, Kyle Rivett, Ryan Scheafer and Scott Thompson had multi-point games.
Quinton Gauthier got the win in goal in both games for the Combines.
With the win, the Combines moved into first place in the SPHL standings, two points up on the Cut Knife Colts (7-2-0-0.)
Saturday, the Beaver Blues hosted the Shellbrook Silvertips (6-3-0-0) and held on for a 4-3 win.
Mitch Cooper, Jordan Keller and Keegan Sparrow each had a goal and an assist in the win, while Dylan Smith had the same for the Silvertips.
Mike Sylvester picked up the win in goal.
The Beaver Blues take to the road for their next game Friday in Hafford, while the Combines host Shellbrook the same night at the Civic Centre.
