Memorial Cup: Saint John, Hamilton meet in final

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. –

Two groups that skated by means of distinctly completely different paths within the playoffs will meet Wednesday within the ultimate of the 2022 Memorial Cup.

The host Saint John Sea Canine, who went 39 days between video games after shedding within the first spherical of the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League playoffs, will face the Hamilton Bulldogs, who posted a 16-3 post-season file en path to the Ontario Hockey League championship.

It’s the first Memorial Cup ultimate since 2019, when the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies skated to the title on the match in RisePEI. The 2021 and 2022 Memorial Cup occasions had been worn out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sea Canine earned a direct berth into the ultimate after posting two wins and an time beyond regulation loss in preliminary-round motion, whereas Hamilton required a 4-2 regulation win over the Edmonton Oil Kings to flee the preliminary spherical after which eked out an exhilarating 4-3 time beyond regulation conquer the Shawinigan Cataractes in Monday’s semifinal to advance.

“We’re hanging round. One month in the past, who is aware of what individuals had been saying about us,” mentioned Saint John head coach Gardiner MacDougall, who changed Gordie Dwyer on Could 22 after the Sea Canine had been upset by the Rimouski Oceanic to open the playoffs.

“They did not know if we might be a very good consultant of the match, possibly we might have solely three video games — that’s all we had been assured. It’s good to nonetheless be right here.”

Hamilton survived a seven-game sequence in opposition to the Windsor Spitfires to win the OHL crown after which dropped consecutive video games to Saint John and Shawinigan to open the Memorial Cup.

That set the stage for a do-or-die preliminary contest in opposition to Edmonton on Friday, the place Anaheim prospect Mason McTavish scored two targets for Hamilton in the important thing victory.

In Hamilton’s semifinal win, Montreal draft choose prospect Jan Mysak tipped in a degree shot by teammate Nathan Staois 10:08 into time beyond regulation.

“The gamers have discovered methods,” mentioned Hamilton coach Jay McKee. “It’s a assured group that believes in every one other and that could be a actual highly effective component to have.”

Saint John and Hamilton met within the match opener June 20, when the Sea Canine raced to a 4-1 second-period lead and held on for a 5-3 victory.

“The gamers have earned an excellent alternative,” mentioned McKee. “We performed Saint John as soon as they usually definitely did not see one of the best model of the Hamilton Bulldogs and I anticipate they are going to (Wednesday) evening.”

The Sea Canine later fell 4-3 in time beyond regulation to Edmonton. Then, led by QMJHL most precious participant William Dufour, they rallied from a 3-0 first-period deficit on Saturday to down Shawinigan 5-3 and take high spot within the preliminary spherical.

“They’ve had a extremely good mindset they usually have been receptive to every thing,” MacDougall mentioned of the Sea Canine, who completed the common season on a 15-game profitable streak.

Hamilton went 51-12-3-2 within the common season, led by Logan Morrison’s 100-point marketing campaign and 66 factors from OHL defenceman of the yr Staios.

Dufour, a New York Islanders prospect who leads the match with six targets, was named the QMJHLMVP after his 116-point season that included a Canadian Hockey League-best 56 targets.

Linemate Josh Lawrence completed the yr with 101 factors, tying for the league in assists with 70, which additionally set a franchise file.

That is Saint John’s fourth Memorial Cup look because the franchise seems so as to add to its 2011 championship in Mississauga.

Hamilton is making its second match look after shedding within the 2018 semifinal to the host Regina Pats.

In the meantime, it was a giant evening for Dallas Stars prospects on the Canadian Hockey League awards Tuesday.

Logan Stankoven of the Kamloops Blazers, who recorded 104 factors in 59 regular-season video games, was named the David Department CHL participant of the yr.

Stankoven, a five-foot-10 centre who was chosen by the Stars within the second spherical of the 2021 NHL draft, recorded three or extra factors in 18 video games through the common season, together with a pair of five-point video games on Nov. 3 and Jan. 29.

Wyatt Johnston, Dallas’ first choose, twenty third total in 2021, was the CHL’s high scorer with 124 factors in 68 video games for the Windsor Spitfires.

Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs took dwelling the highest draft prospect award whereas Bradyen Yager of the Moose Jaw Warriors was named rookie of the yr.

Jim Hulton of the Charlottetown Islanders claimed the coach of the yr award after main his workforce to its first President Cup look in franchise historical past.

Nathan Staois of the Hamilton Bulldogs earned defenceman of the yr honours. Dylan Garand of the Kamloops Blazers claimed goaltender of the yr honours whereas Jordan Dumais of the RisePEI Mooseheads claimed the sportsman participant of the yr award.

Owen Beck of the Mississauga Steelheads was named scholastic participant of the yr and Luke Prokop of the Edmonton Oil Kings was named humanitarian of the yr.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 28, 2022.