BAIE VERTE, NL — With first place still up for grabs on the last weekend of the Central Newfoundland Senior Intermediate Hockey League season, the Northeast Sabres gutted out a 3-2 victory over the Lewisporte Seahawks Saturday night to clinch top spot.
A Springdale Braves loss to the Exploits Blades Saturday night in Grand Falls-Windsor ensured nobody could catch the two-time defending league champions in Sunday’s regular season finale.
The Sabres still battled hard in that contest, earning another point in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Seahawks.
Lewisporte finished fifth and out of playoff positioning.
Seahawks 6, Sabres 5 (Sunday)
The Sabres mounted a furious third-period comeback to force overtime but fell short in the extra period. Down 4-1 going into the final 15 minutes, the team out of Baie Verte showed a lot of character in a meaningless final game in the standings.
Todd Learning led Lewisporte with two goals and two assists, while Barry Wheeler scored the overtime winner and added another assist.
Steve Adams also had a goal and an assist in the win, while Dean Bowering and Nathan Leyte also scored.
Blake Stratton, Cory Stratton and Jordan Humphries all had a goal and an assist each for the Sabres in the loss, while Jordan Cramm and Kaleb Roberts also scored goals.
Sabres 3, Seahawks 2 (Saturday)
Jordan Humphries was a force in the low-scoring game, netting two goals and picking up an assist, while teammate Cory Stratton scored the game winner early in the third period. Stratton also added an assist in the win. Blake Stratton picked up two assists.
Matt Kinden had a goal and an assist for the Seahawks, while teammate Cliff Mugford scored the other goal for Lewisporte.
Related coverage (Springdale Braves): Season-ending sweep
