SRSS/St Paul’s rivalry re-kindled in hockey playoffs
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This article was published 14/02/2024 (809 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres have had an odd hockey season.
Despite a positive goal differential and success at top-level tournaments, the Sabres were only able to finish in eighth place in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s top division.
Steinbach looked out of place that low in the standings, blowing away Stonewall in the qualification round. The Sabres easily handled the Rams 6-1 on Feb. 7 and 7-2 on Feb. 8 to take the series, shutting down the two top scorers in the division in Gavin Holod and Adam Newcombe.
“I think it was an awesome start (to the playoffs),” head coach John Laninga said the day after the series wrapped up.
“It was really nice to get the sweep and get some confidence with a couple of games where we filled the back of the net and did a nice job of shutting down some of the top offensive players in the league.”
Steinbach was led up front by Lucas Jolicoeur, who finished third in the league scoring race. The star forward finished with two goals and four assists in the series, as the Sabres put together a balanced attack to advance.
“This is the most important time of the year,” Laninga said.
“It was really encouraging to get into the playoffs and get a couple big wins. Now the focus switches to next week.”
With every qualification round series won by the higher seed, Steinbach is matching up with the top-ranked St Paul’s Crusaders in the quarterfinals.
The teams appeared evenly matched as play began in their series. In game one, played Feb. 13 in Winnipeg, St Paul’s needed overtime to take a series lead after Peyton Froese scored mid-way through the third period to tie the game 3-3.
Laninga was full of praise for their quarterfinal opponent before the series began, noting the Crusaders have a deep lineup, with two excellent goalies. The Sabres aren’t without a chance to pull off the upset, defeating St Paul’s during the season.
“We’re going in as the eight-seed, but we’re excited for this challenge that lies ahead,” Laninga said.
“It’s a super-exciting time… It’s playoffs, so it’s emotional. (St Paul’s) is a team we feel we match up well against. We’ve had good games with them over the years, and it’s a blast.”
Game two of the series took place Feb. 14 inside the T.G. Smith Arena and was completed after press time. If a game three is necessary, it will take place Feb. 15 at the Hockey for All Centre in Winnipeg.