It wasn't the expected result heading into the series, but the eighth-place Minnedosa Chancellors have created an opening round surprise by forcing a third and deciding game in a best-of-three opening round Westman High School Hockey League (WHSHL) series against the first-place NACI Tigers. The Tigers, who are also the defending WHSHL champions, kicked off the series with a 4-0 win over Minnedosa in Minnedosa on Feb. 15. Garrett Rempel led the way offensively with a hat trick, scoring NACI's first three goals of the game. Matthew Sneesby scored NACI's final goal. Kyle McDonald and Jesse Adams had two assists apiece, while Brett McKinnon added a single assist. Game 2 was hosted in Neepawa and featured a much closer scoreline. Matthew Sneesby opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game but Minnedosa responded with two more goals, including a goal with one second left in the period, to claim a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. The Tigers regained their lead in the second period when Wyatt Salmon scored just under seven minutes into the period and Kyle McDonald put another one away two minutes later to put NACI up 3-2. Minnedosa and NACI gave fans a great back-and-forth battle in the third period, with Tigers players literally throwing their bodies in the line of fire one-after-another to block shots throughout their three penalty kill situations in the frame, but the Chancellors were able to find the game-tying even strength goal with just under two minutes left in the game. NACI's Garrett Rempel went on a late rush to give Tigers fans a hope, but was slowed down by a Chancellors player, forcing overtime. The first 10-minute overtime solved nothing, but Minnedosa scored one minute into the second overtime to clinch a 4-3 win. The Tigers and Chancellors were scheduled to play their third and final game this past Monday night. Provincial qualifying The Tigers won the North Bracket of the WHSHL's A/AA Provincial Qualifying tournament on Saturday, defeating the Major Pratt Trojans 5-3. NACI won the best-of-three series in two straight games against Major Pratt. The Tigers are the defending Provincial Champions.