AXEMEN STRIKE FIRST IN LEAGUE SEMI

The Swan Valley Axemen scored four goals in the first six minutes of the first period and cruised the rest of the way to a 6-2 win over the hometown Canora Cobras (in front of 348) in game one of the SEHL semi-final on Friday night.

Josh Tripp got the onslaught started in opening minute, sliding a puck under Rylan Palchewich and then Jamie Valentino made it 2-0 on the Axemen's second shot of the game, spelling the end of the evening for Palchewich, but Durban Hleboff was greeted quickly with the third Axemen goal courtesy of Cody Eisner.  Eisner then it made it 4-0 and that proved to be too insurmountable for the Cobras despite Canora getting two back before the end of the first.

Ryley Stefanyshyn scored on a redirect from Logan Foster and then Foster, himself, banged in a rebound and it appeared as though he may take the game over but Deven Dubyk ended up making 50-saves to help preserve the win.

Jeff Riddell beat Hleboff with a shot on the short side for the only goal of the second and Tripp capped it with a shorthanded goal, into an empty Canora net with 2:36 to go.

Game two in the series goes tomorrow (Saturday) in Minitonas at 8pm.

In Langenburg, the Warriors failed to capitalize on the home ice advantage earned after a surprising game one win in Rocanville as they were throttled 9-3 by the Tigers as that series is now knotted at one win apiece in the best five.

Dakota Odgers potted four goals and set up another to pace the Tigers, who also got a goal and four helpers from Taylor Thompson.  Adamik Frumen, Ashley Howie, Brett Hope, and Jacob Tibbatts rounded out the scoring for Rocanville, who host game three on Saturday.

Rylee Zimmer, Mike Rogoshewsky, and Nick  Carlson had the Langenburg goals.