The St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens are heading into Game 4 of the first series of the NEAJBHL playoffs on Wednesday night with a game in hand over the Cold Lake Ice.
The series started in St. Paul on Feb. 17, with the Canadiens winning the game handily by a score of 6-3. A few quick goals early in the first period gave the Canadiens the edge, throughout the game, despite a valid attempt at a comeback by the Ice.
The Canadiens took on the Ice again the following night at home on Feb. 18. The matchup proved to be a tight one, with the game heading into overtime, and the Ice pulling out the 3-2 win.
“So far, it’s been a really competitive series, as we expected,” said Coach Joe Young, after the first three games of the series wrapped up.
“(The Ice) work hard and we have to match that, which we haven’t at times. It doesn’t have to be pretty this time of year. It’s about hard work and paying the price.”
The series moved to Cold Lake on Monday night, where St. Paul pushed through and proved to be the stronger team, taking the game with a score of 3-1.
St. Paul will head back to Cold Lake tonight (Feb. 21) for Game 4 of the series.
Regardless of the outcome, Game 5 will be required, which will take place in St. Paul on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. If Game 6 is needed, the series will head back to Cold Lake on Feb. 24. Game 7 would take place in St. Paul on Feb. 25, if needed.
The NEAJBHL handed out a couple of league awards on Feb. 17, prior to the first game of the series in St. Paul. Goalie Michael Davis received the Rookie of the Year Award, while Zach Bendall received a 2nd Team All-Star award.
