Farmers limping into THHL playoffs

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Published on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Neepawa Farmers have found themselves in the middle of losing streak at the worst possible time. The Tiger Hills Hockey League team has dropped its final four games of the regular season, including a 7-4 defeat to the Gladstone Lakers on Wednesday, Feb. 3. 

The game, held at the Gladstone & District Arena, had a very emotional component to it, as the community honoured the memory of Blaine Jarvis, who was killed in a snowmobiling accident in late January. The Lakers retired Jarvis’ number 22 in a pre-game ceremony.

As for the game itself, the Farmers secured the first goal of the evening, with Rodney White scoring a little over two minutes into the action. Gladstone replied at the 6:18 mark, but Neepawa reclaimed the one goal lead a little over two minutes later, as White garnered his second of the game, with an assist from Lance Nugent.

A lone goal was scored in the second period, as Gladstone’s Matt Boshman was able to slip up past Neepawa goaltender Brad Nelson. Scoring production ramped up in the third, as the Lakers secured five in the final 20 minutes, compared to a pair from the Farmers. Rodney White potted his third goal of the night and Tyler Lazaruk scored the other for the visitors. It was simply not enough however, as Gladstone earned the 7-4 win.

This latest loss has dropped the Neepawa Farmer’s regular season record to 13-10-1. Playoff matchups  for the Tiger Hills Hockey League will be announced within the next week.