AXEMEN ADVANCE TO NORTH DIVISION FINAL

Two nights after a major collapse, the Swan Valley Axemen redeemed themselves with a 6-3 win over the Canora Cobras to take the best of three series 2-games-to-1.

The game was played before a capacity crowd in Minitonas with an estimated attendance of 500 and a 50/50 draw that was nearly $2500 to the winner.

Josh Tripp, who had 11 points in the series, had a goal and two helpers for the Axemen, who came out firing on all cylinders by building a 2-0 lead six minutes into the game and outshooting the Cobras 8-0.

However, Canora has been pesky and they eventually battled back to 3-3 before Jackson Betcher scored what would be the game winner midway through the second.  Betcher ended up with two on the evening while other goals came from Jeff Riddell, Carter Cockburn (10 points in the series), and Darcy Riddell.

Colby Jacob, who became public enemy number one after a game two fight, scored one and set up another for the Cobras.  Ryley Stefanyshyn and Skyler Hladun also scored for Canora.

Friday night, Swan Valley blew a 7-2 lead with fourteen minutes left in the third and the Cobras also rallied from an 8-6 deficit with three and a half minutes to go in regulation to eventually win 9-8 in overtime.  

Swan Valley will play Theodore in the league semi-finals.  The Buffs beat Grandview 5-2 on Saturday to complete a 2-game sweep in the best of three.  Derrick Schwartz led the way with a goal and two assists.

The other semi pits Rocanville against Langenburg.  The Tigers downed Ituna 12-5 on Thursday night to win the series 2-0.

Langenburg defeated Wapella 9-6 on Tuesday to earn a two game sweep in their series.