An early spring storm that rolled through southeast Saskatchewan on Tuesday delayed the Wawota Flyers’ first opportunity to clinch the Big Six Hockey League’s championship.
The Flyers were slated to host Game 5 of the league final against the Bienfait Coalers that night. But due to a blast of freezing rain that covered the region, the game was postponed until March 24. (Results of the game were not available at press time).
The Flyers have a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven league final. If the Flyers win the title, they would wrap up their first Big 6 championship since 2005. The Coalers need to win Game 5, along with Games 6 and 7, if they are to win an unprecedented sixth straight title.
The most recent game in the series was a 4-2 win for the Flyers on March 18 in Bienfait. Ryan Taylor opened the scoring for the Flyers with a little more than seven minutes to play in the first period, and Kevin Lincoln doubled the lead with a tally early in the second.
Chase McKersie scored with 7 1/2 minutes to play in the middle frame to pull the Coalers to within a goal, and Russ Schneider tallied with 35 seconds remaining in the stanza to tie the game. At that point, it appeared the game would be tied at twos entering the second intermission.
But Justin Lamontagne scored with a second to play in the period to give the Flyers the lead after 40 minutes.
Ben Johnstone’s goal at the 7:44 mark of the third period restored the Flyers’ two-goal advantage.
Adam Jordan was in goal for the Flyers. Jackson Walliser was the goalie for the Coalers.
If Game 6 is necessary, it would be played March 26 in Bienfait. Game 7 would happen three nights later in Wawota.
