Steinbach strikes first in HTJHL finals

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This article was published 08/03/2024 (824 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All season it looked like the Springfield Xtreme and Steinbach Huskies were destined to face off in the Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League finals.

It appeared like both teams were ready to make that a possibility as soon as possible, sweeping their semi-final series and beginning the finals March 3, with Steinbach recording a 2-1 double-overtime victory.

Both teams were a perfect 7-0 heading into game one of the finals, with Springfield recording three tight wins against Landmark in the quarterfinals before three lopsided victories over Lorette to close out their semi-final.

In the final three games of their sweep over Lorette, the Xtreme outscored the Comets 19-2.

Steinbach has brought dominance to another level so far in the 2024 playoffs. After thrashing the last-place St Clements Gators in a blowout series which included a 20-1 victory, the Huskies looked just as dominant in the semis against Niverville.

The Clippers were put under siege for four consecutive games, with Steinbach’s 3-0 victory in game three the closest the Clippers got to a victory.

Game one of the finals showed the teams were on equal footing. While Steinbach appeared to hold the better scoring chances through three periods, they were held in check by a strong effort from Dylan Kizlik in net. The Xtreme goalie recorded 54 saves in the loss.

In the first overtime, both teams had great chances to end it, but the teams stood tall before Rylan Penner snapped home a shot four minutes into period five to send the Huskies pouring out of their bench.

Only two other games in the best-of-seven finals are currently scheduled, with game two going March 9 in Oakbank at 8 p.m. The series returns to the T.G. Smith Arena March 10 for an 8:15 p.m. faceoff.

(Clocks move one hour forward for daylight savings time in the early hours of March 10)