Elk Point Elks split opening games of playoff series

It’s now a best of three between the Elk Point Elks and Wainwright Rustlers.

The two squared off in a pair of first round Sask/Alta playoff games on Friday and Saturday, with the lower-seeded Elks taking Game 1 on home ice 6-4.

The next night in Wainwright didn’t fare as well for the Elks, who suffered a 8-2 loss.

Overall, Elk Point entered the postseason with a 7-8-1 record as the 7th seed.

After a shuffle behind the bench mid-season, Nathan Rosychuk has now taken the reins and is hoping his team can put together a good finish to the year.

“You got to prepare and realize the type of game those guys play. They’re a really good team all around. They got a couple of key players, but in general, every line comes out hard with those guys,” Rosychuk told Lakeland Connect in his handicapping of the series. 

“We got a pretty fast team. We tried to use their speed and take advantage when we could and then we had some great goaltending, which helped when we needed it.” 

Brett Bacque scored the game’s first two goals and Arron Gagne potted another to give the Elks an early 3-0 lead at the first intermission.

That was the edge needed to secure a victory, as team’s traded goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Bryton Beattie found the back of the net twice and Grady Fraser made 35 stops in the win.

Game 2 in Wainwright was closer than the final box score appeared, said Rosychuk.

The Elks were within two heading into the final period, but the Rustlers hit paydirt multiple times, with Mike Shirley securing a hat-trick, and the powerplay popping off for three on the night.

The action returns to Wainwright for Game 3 on Wednesday night, but with the Elks opening night win, they know for sure Game 4 will be back at the AG Ross Arena on Friday night at 8:00pm.

If Game 5 is needed, it will be in Wainwright on Saturday night.

In other Sask/Alta playoff action, the Dewberry Mustangs lost game in overtime 6-5 to the Meadow Lake Broncos. They’ll play Game 2 on Friday night in Meadow Lake.

Kraft Hockeyville 

Elk Point residents are ringing the bell hoping to win Kraft Hockeyville and give new life to the AG Ross Arena.

Rosychuk commented on what he’s seen make the building so special.

Bailey Lonsberry, who is coaching minor hockey in St. Paul, had his team surprise him by coming out to the game. It’s moments like this that makes a rink like the AG Ross special.

“It’s just special to see that and what it does for the small communities,” he said. “Just how I think a bunch of 10 year olds coming to the game and their parents are taking their time to organize and set up the drive to surprise, one of our players. That was a pretty cool moment.”

WATCH: Bull and Hammer talk about Kraft Hockeyville