Sheridan Hawks Junior Hockey Team Prevail In Game 1 Of Playoff Series At Rapid City

The Frontier Division’s No.1 seeded Sheridan Hawks kicked off the NA3HL Fraser Cup playoffs strong, taking down the Frontier’s No. 4 seeded Badlands Sabres in a come-from-behind 3-2 win. 

Sheridan trailed entering the third period, but a strong final frame in which the Hawks largely outshot Badlands 15-6 and scored two quick goals late propelled them to the postseason victory. 

The Hawks take Game 1 of the best-of-three set with Badlands with the win and are now just one win away from advancing to the Frontier Division Final. 

Both Sheridan and Badlands brought their A-game to start the postseason as neither side allowed a goal in the opening frame.

The Hawks held the shots advantage in the period at 11-6. 

The scoring started with just over seven minutes to go in the middle period.

Badlands scored via the power play to put the Sabres ahead 1-0. 

Sheridan had a response just 3:09 later.

Elijah Farris notched his first tally of the postseason to knot the score back at one goal apiece. 

But the Sabres fired right back with their second goal of the game a just 26 seconds later to send Badlands to the third period leading 2-1. 

The Hawks flexed their No.1 seed prowess in the third period. Deagan Watson tied the game with 7:19 to go in the game with his first marker of the playoffs. 

Just 46 seconds later, Jeff Slivon gave Sheridan its first lead of the night with a power-play goal.

His first goal of the postseason flipped the game on its head with just 6:33 to go. 

The Sabres pressed for the late-game equalizer, but Sheridan goaltender TJ Wonnacott and the rest of the Hawks’ defense stood tall to seal the 3-2 win and 1-0 series lead.

The Hawks have home ice advantage for game two of the best of three series vs Badlands Friday night at the Whitney Rink in the M&M’s Center, as well as for game three, if needed.