Huskies put Xtreme on the brink in HTJHL finals

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This article was published 15/03/2024 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Steinbach Huskies are one win away from claiming back-to-back Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League championships.

Steinbach has made it look easy so far in the playoffs, with a perfect 10-0 record, including 5-3 and 7-3 victories over the Springfield Xtreme in games two and three of the finals on March 9 and 10.

Game two would be dominated by special teams. Steinbach struck twice in the span of 20 seconds to open the scoring in the first period, including a bizarre goal that deflected over goaltender Dylan Kizlik’s head and into the net.

The Xtreme responded with a pair of powerplay markers to tie the game heading into the second period. The Huskies would ice the game away with a pair of powerplay goals of their own before dominating the third period.

While Steinbach couldn’t find their insurance goal, they kept the play in the Springfield end for most of the final period, out-shooting the Xtreme 45-26 despite leading most of the game. A final minute tally pulled Springfield within one, but Ian Friesen salted the game away with an empty netter.

In game three, Steinbach’s offense came alive. The Huskies had been on a scoring tear throughout this season, but were held somewhat in check in games one and two. That changed in game three, hosted in Steinbach. Ethan Unger’s hat trick provided most of the offense, as the Huskies again had a multi-goal first period lead erased.

Springfield were able to battle back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game early in the second period, but Steinbach kept the pressure up, with Logan Funk scoring just a couple minutes after the tying goal to give the Huskies the lead for good.

Steinbach has been utterly dominant over the past two seasons. The team only lost three total games last season, posting a 8-1 playoff record, after a 21-2 regular season. This year, they’re one win away from an undefeated run through the playoffs after finishing first in the regular season again.

A potential clinching game four in the 2024 finals will go March 15 in Oakbank at 8 p.m. If the Xtreme can force a fifth game, it will take place at the T.G. Smith Centre in Steinbach March 17 at 8:15 p.m.