For the Weyburn Inn Devils, the second round of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) provincial series was less like a hockey match than a gladiatorial bloodbath.

The Devils fought tooth-and-nail with the Avonlea Arrows in two games this week, the first taking place in Avonlea on Feb. 11 and the second at the Colosseum on Sunday.

The Arrows are renowned for their aggressive tactics, and they showed it playing the Devils: Sunday night alone saw several fistfights, a member of the Devils rammed against the sideboards so hard he shattered the glass, and any number of head-on collisions.

And Tuesday's game on Avonlea's own ice was even worse, according to general manager Derrell Rodine.

"If you think they're bad here, you should see them in their own barn," said Rodine. "I'm just really pleased we come out of that series without any injuries, to be honest with you."

The Devils managed to win 4-1 on Feb. 11, giving them a three-point lead. Sunday night was a little different; although the Devils totally outshot Avonlea and had a load of breakaways and clean shots, they just could not break past the Arrows' goalie, who displayed "absolutely outstanding goaltending," said Rodine.

With Weyburn unable to break past Avonlea's goalie, the Arrows fought back and nearly tied the game, except for a late goal by Weyburn that put them up 3-2. It was a hotly contested goal by Avonlea, so much so that it prompted their coach Curtis Nelson to leave the bench in the middle of the second period and walk off the ice.

After the game, however, Nelson was in good spirits, admitting his team was short a lot of players and were depending on the same two lines in the last two periods.

"Our guys played a tough, gritty game," he said, offering congratulations to Weyburn on their win.

Both Rodine and Devils coach Mike Sauter admitted they knew what they were getting into against Avonlea, whose rough play is their trademark.

"Their team plays hard," said Sauter.

The Devils now advance to the third round of SHA provincials against Balgonie. Sauter said they've seen Balgonie play before, and although it'll probably be a closer series, Weyburn has a good chance of beating them.

The first game is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 23, in Balgonie, with the second game in Weyburn the following Sunday.

In Big Six League action, the Devils resume playoffs next week, playing either Arcola-Kisbey or Bienfait.