The senior squad grabbed a 2-0 lead in its best-of-five Tiger Hills Hockey League West Division finals series against the Killarney Shamrocks last week. Miniota-Elkhorn won game one, 10-3, and game two, 8-1. After the Empire-Advance deadline, the C-Hawks had the opportunity to sweep the series at home. Miniota-Elkhorn coach Garth Mitchell said the first two games were a solid effort by the whole team.
“Guys have been very structured and played hard without the puck,” he said. “Both forwards and defence have really worked hard to try to deny Killarney too many offensive zone opportunities.
“Offensively, we have been getting good zone time and production from all lines with contributions from the defence as well.”
A Shamrocks win in the third contest would mean a game four in Killarney on March 17. If needed, the C-Hawks would host game five on March 19.
In the East Division finals, Minnedosa led Gladstone, 2-0, after the weekend thanks to a 3-2 overtime road win and a 4-1 home victory.
The C-Hawks opened the West Division finals with a 10-3 romp over Killarney at home on March 10. Killarney scored first, but Miniota-Elkhorn led 3-2 at the end of the first period. Five second period goals made it 8-2 for the C-Hawks by the second intermission. Two goals in the first 10 minutes of the final frame made it 10-2 for the hosts before the Shamrocks scored.
Shawn Bowles scored five goals and finished with six points. His twin brother Brad recorded five assists. Curtis Gardham and Taylor Sanheim each lit the lamp twice for Miniota-Elkhorn. Jason Bowles scored the team’s other goal on his way to a three-point night. C-Hawks goalie Cory Gardham made 29 saves.
Isaac Friesen had two goals for Killarney, while Brett Opperman scored once. Shamrocks goalie Brian Archibald stopped 36 shots.
On the road on March 12, the C-Hawks outshot the Shamrocks 55-17 on their way to an 8-1 win. Killarney did not score until the third period.
Brad Bowles and Taylor Sanheim each scored twice. Jason Bowles had a goal and four points. Also scoring for the C-Hawks were Dustin Fisher, Shawn Bowles, and Brad Cole. Gardham had 16 saves on 17 shots.
Archibald was bombarded with shots and made 47 saves. Isaac Friesen scored for Killarney.
