It's been a series of inches in the SPHL Finals this year, between the Meota Combines and Turtleford Tigers. (Submitted photo/Byron Hildebrand Photography)

By Martin Martinson

Tied series

Meota/Turtleford set for big weekend ahead as SPHL Finals series continues

Mar 9, 2022 | 1:43 PM

Games 3 and 4 of the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League (SPHL) Final are set for this weekend, as the Meota Combines and Turtleford Tigers sit tied at a game apiece through the opening two, of their best-of-five series for senior hockey supremacy.

Game 3 will be played in North Battleford at 8 p.m. Saturday, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in Turtleford.

Home ice has played a factor through the early part of the series, with each team winning in their home barn through the first two games.

After Meota took Game 1 by a 4-2 score, led by a two-goal performance by forward Riley Albert, Turtleford answered Saturday with a 3-2 overtime victory of their own in Turtleford, on a standout two-goal, one assist performance by league MVP, Austin McDonald.

Player/manager with the Tigers, Adam Gray said the victory in Game 2 was huge in a tight series that could go right down to the wire.

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“It was another close game, as it was similar to in [North Battleford] in Game 1 when we were pressing late and the goalie made a big save off the shaft of his stick late,” Gray said. “It’s going to be close all the way through I think, and it could go either way.”

Previewed as a close series heading in, featuring the league’s top two teams from the regular season, the Finals series has featured its share of epic moments so far.

Game 2 looked to be in the bag for the Tigers heading into the final seven minutes, when Meota scored two late – the second of which came in the final minute courtesy of season scoring champion, Justin Waskewitch – to force the extra frame. However, Turtleford showcased strong resolve as Garth Matvenko scored on a tip-play in front to respond with the overtime winner for the Tigers to knot the series.

Player/manager with the Combines, Kyle Gregoire said while the team fell just short of going up 2-0 in the series, they remain confident looking forward to Game 3, back on home ice.

“We showed some good resiliency, [but] we just couldn’t get that last goal there to take the 2-0 series lead,” Gregoire said. “I think the biggest thing is we know we can win this series, so as long as we play our game that we have all year with good offense and play on the right side of the puck and capitalize on our opportunities, I think we should have success.”

Game 3 of the series will be back in North Battleford at the ACC, Saturday night at 8 p.m., featuring a guaranteed $2,500 50/50 draw.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1