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Finding open ice in most arenas across the Northwest has become more difficult and finding officials isn't any easier. That's because it is a busy time of the season as teams gear up for league playoffs while others prepare, or have started, provincial playoffs.

For some, the road to a provincial title is shorter than others, but for everyone it will be a difficult and exciting few weeks.

At the peewee D level, the Edam 3 Stars will play St. Brieux in the first round while one team will advance to play the winner between White Fox and the Debden/Big River Jets. Both Debden/Big River and Edam play in the STEP League during the regular season.

The first round needs to be completed by Feb. 14, as there are 14 teams in the peewee D bracket.

The largest bracket this season is the peewee C bracket, which has 35 teams competing for the title.

Local area teams, Maidstone Jets and Neilburg Monarchs, both received first round byes. Maidstone will face Waldheim while Neilburg faces off against Langham. If either of the Northwest teams plays in the championship they will have to win four rounds of provincial hockey to get there.

Spiritwood and Unity are among the 13 teams competing for the peewee B provincial title. Spiritwood drew Melfort in the first round while Unity will battle with Martensville.

The Battlefords Peewee A Barons were the only team in their provincial bracket to receive a first round bye. The Barons wait for the winner of La Ronge and LLRIB.

Goodsoil will represent the area in the bantam D provincial draw, as they will face off against Hague in the north semi final.

In bantam C provincials, 25 teams are competing and already Hillmond/Paradise Hill have won their first round after beating Macklin 6-2 and 3-1.

Wilkie and Maidstone also played in the first round and it was Maidstone winning game one 6-2. Game two was scheduled for Thursday in Wilkie. The winning team will play Hillmond/Paradise Hill in the northern quarter-final.

Also in bantam C provincials, Spiritwood won game one against Wakaw 11-9.

The Unity Lazers and Midwest Rage face off in bantam B provincials as 18 other teams battle for the provincial title.

The Battlefords Bantam A Barons have not yet started their series with the Stanley Mission River Hawks and have until the end of February to finish the series. The winner will advance to the north final.

Three STEP League teams will be battling in the midget C provincial draw, as Debden/Big River goes up against Maidstone. Edam received a bye and will play Clavet. The midget C provincial draw has 27 teams entered.

Wilkie will face Martensville in midget B provincials while Spiritwood battles Tisdale. Both series need to be completed by Feb. 9.

The Battlefords Barons are one of 13 teams in the midget A draw and will face La Ronge after both teams received first round byes. The Barons and Ice Wolves need to complete their series by Feb. 14.

Senior D provincials are underway and Turtleford is representing the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League and will be up against Luseland. The Tigers host Luseland Friday and will return Saturday.

Wilkie will play in the senior C provincial draw and meet up with Kerrobert. Feb. 8 the Outlaws will be in Kerrobert and Feb. 11 will be game two in Wilkie.

The Unity Miners will represent the Northwest in the senior B provincial draw. The Miners will play Porcupine Plain.

Senior A provincials will have 25 teams competing for the championship, with one of those being Maidstone. The Jets beat Shelbrook 5-3 in game one and 6-5 Wednesday at home Wednesday to advance.

St. Walburg won game one of their senior A provincial series 6-3 against the Hague Royals. Game two goes Friday in Kyle as a St. Walburg home game. If necessary, game three will be Sunday in Hague.

As for female teams, the Bantam Sharks are up against the Swift Current Colts in the bantam A provincial draw.

The midget team will be up against Biggar in AA provincials. The winner will advance to the northern final.