IT'S ON NOW!

The gap between the Swan Valley Stampeders and Wayway Wolverines for a playoff spot is now just 3 points, after the Wolverines doubled up the Stamps 4-2 in Wayway on Tuesday.

Curtis Veitch had 2g-1a for the Wolverines, while Brett Pinkerton and Cody Koskimaki also found the net.

Cory Simons made 29/31 saves in the win, while Swan's goals came from T.J. Fairall and Riley Hiebert (1g-1a).

It was nearly a must-win game for the Wolverines, who would have fallen 7 points back with 9 to play with a loss. As I asked Barry Butler before the game....



Veitch also talked about the big win following the game.



These two clubs still meet 3 more times, and all in the space of one week, starting next Tuesday right back in Wayway. The Wolverines are off until Friday when they head to Selkirk, and then Winnipeg Saturday to meet the Saints. The Stampeders get right back at it tonight (WED) when they host OCN, and then travel to OCN on Friday.

The Wolverines learned shortly before Tuesday's game that Shane Goodrunning and Scott Gallaher were handed 2 game suspensions for their roles in a multiple fight situation against Winkler on Monday night. Coach Butler was suspended for one game, and watched Tuesday's win from the bleachers.

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Our local SJHL teams both picked up big wins on Tuesday, which greatly improved their chances of playing each other in the first round of the playoffs.

The Yorkton Terriers beat the visiting Battlefords North Stars 4-2, and are now 7-1-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Brady Norrish, Ryon Sookro, Zak Majkowski and Jeremy Johnson scored for Yorkton, while Warren Shymko turned in another winning performance, making 25/27 saves.

The Terriers are now 9 points up on Estevan, and the Bruins have 5 games left, meaning they're one point, or one lost point by the Bruins, from clinching a top three spot, and those two teams hook up tonight (WED) in Estevan (on GX94).

Meanwhile Melville, without Lucas Froese, Sean Aschim, TJ Reeve, Landon Hall, and the latest addition to the list, captain Lee Christensen, went into Weyburn and beat the Sherwood-leading Red Wings 5-2.

Jesse Mireau notched a pair, giving him 25 goals on the season, Tyson Newell had 1g-1a, and became the first SJHL Defenseman to hit 50 points on the season. John Stechyshyn and Connor Lowe-Wylde also scored. Blake Voth turned aside 21/23 shots as the Mils out-shot the Wings 32-23.

Melville's back at it tonight (WED), at home against Battleford.

The Mils now lead Estevan by 6 points. The Bruins do have the tie-breaker. Melville keeps pace with Yorkton, and stay 3 points back of 2nd spot.