What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
Bring on the playoffs for the Regina Thunder and Saskatoon Hilltops.
Saskatchewan’s junior football teams closed out the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) regular season with home-field victories on Sunday.
The Thunder head into the playoffs following another perfect regular season after defeating the Edmonton Huskies 42-14 at Leibel Field.
While completing back-to-back 8-0 seasons is a nice feather in the cap for the organization, head coach Scott MacAulay says the team isn’t dwelling on it.
“We’ve been in this situation last year,” he explained. “We just need to make sure we maintain our focus and get better each week.”
“It also means a lot to the organization,” MacAulay added. “A lot of time and effort went into this offseason with training, developing our leadership and culture. It’s a big deal but we need keep focus and taking it week-by-week.”
Leadership and culture is something the Hilltops have mastered with head coach Tom Sargeant at the helm for the past 25 years. The Hilltops organization honoured its longtime coach Sunday and the players delivered him another victory, a 43-14 triumph over the Calgary Colts.
The 5-3 Hilltops will host the Edmonton Huskies on Sunday in a semifinal. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at SMF Field.
Next Sunday, the Thunder will begin its playoff quest with a home matchup against the Winnipeg Rifles.