Neepawa & Gladstone don't seem to like each other

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Published on Monday, March 5, 2018

Lakers battle to 2-0 series lead in Tiger Hills Eastern Division final

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

It's not every hockey game where you get to see somebody punch a goalie in the face. If that's something you needed as a part of your life, you really should have been at the Yellowhead Arena on Saturday, Mar. 3, for game two of the Neepawa Farmers/Gladstone Lakers playoff series. 

The night featured several melees in the third period, including a dust-up between Gladstone goaltender Matt Kohlman and Neepawa’s Rodney White. The reason for the fight is really only know by the two combatants at this time, as the skirmish started while the majority of eyes were paying attention to the action on the other end of the rink. It did however, quickly turn into a physical encounter for everybody that was on the ice; with White getting into a second fight, this time with Lyndon Soper, who jumped in to defend his goalie.  Both those players were tossed from the game. A few minutes later, Mike Nicholson of Neepawa and Drew Selin also got into it and also ended up getting an early exit.

As for who actually won the game itself, it was the Gladstone Lakers who would claim the 5-4 victory. Garrett Johnston scored a pair of the Lakers, while Jordan Geddes scored what would end up being the game winner, early in the third period. Jesse Toth and Ed Friesen notched the others for Gladstone. For Neepawa, Nicholson had two points (one goal - one assist), before he got sent to the showers. Bret Levandoski also had two points (1G -1A) and Ward Szucki and Garett Rempel scored singles. The Farmers had several chances to find the equalizer, especially late in the third, but were stifled by the play of Kohlman, who made 27 saves for the win.

This victory for the Lakers was their second in consecutive nights, as they upended the Farmers 5-3 on Mar. 2 in Gladstone. Regan Stire lead the way for Gladstone in that showdown with three points (1G - 2A), while Lance Nugent stepped up for Neepawa (1G -1A).

With these results, Gladstone has quickly jumped into a 2-game-to-0 series lead, in the THHL eastern division final. Game three will go on Friday, Mar. 9 in Neepawa at 8:00 p.m.