By Mike Beasley /
Even though the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves call Northern Ontario their home, the AAA Major Midget hockey team will always have a soft spot in their hearts for the Eastern part of the province.
After two trips to Ottawa and the Valley this past April, the Wolves will forever associate Eastern Ontario with some great moments in their hockey careers.
Up first for Sudbury was the Telus Cup Central region qualifier in Kanata at the beginning of the month, along with five other teams from Ontario.
The Wolves emerged victorious setting up a return to the Ottawa Valley, this time to the town of Arnprior and the finals of the Canadian Midget Championship.
Sudbury added to this season’s hardware collection as they won the 2008 Telus Cup in fine fashion with a dramatic, come-from-behind 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Thrashers (West) who had entered the final, undefeated in six previous tournament games.
“The final was a great match played by two hard working teams,” shouted Wolves head coach, Peter Michelutti Jr. during the post-game celebration. “Fortunately for us, we’re a team that never gives up. We found a way to capitalize on our opportunities in the third period to come back for the win.”
Stevan Taylor and Deven Stiller scored to give Sudbury an early 2-0 lead but Winnipeg tied things up before the end of the opening frame on goals by David Conrad and Dan Hrabowcyh.
Winnipeg continued to press in the middle frame, outshooting Sudbury 18-4, but Wolves goaltender Christopher McDougall withstood the onslaught, giving up just one goal to Kyle Lee.
The Thrashers had a 3-2 lead with twenty minutes to play.
The Wolves started the third period on fire as they took advantage of some power play time as Mathieu Lecours, Denis Restoule and Justin Lockeyer potted three straight goals in the first five minutes of play to take a 5-3 lead.
Corbin Baldwin scored for Winnipeg to narrow Sudbury’s lead to 5-4 with less than 10 minutes in regulation to set up a fantastic finish.
The Thrashers threw everything they had at the Wolves net but McDougall stood tall between the pipes until Stefan Harrington sealed the victory for Sudbury with an empty-net marker.
With the win, Sudbury took home its first national title and the Central region’s first win in 20 years. Manitoba and Saskatchewan won the last four Telus Cups.
“I’m so proud of these guys, it’s been such a long year, they put in so much time and dedication as well as sacrifice for this win, I couldn’t be happier for them.” continued Michelutti Jr.
In the bronze-medal game, the Seminaire St. Francois (Quebec) Blizzard finished in third place for the second year in a row knocking off the Calgary Buffaloes (Pacific) 7-4 for their 13th medal in 14 appearances at the national midget championship.
Guillaume Asselin led the Blizzard with two goals, Tommy Giroux, Justin Ducharme, Jean-Phillipe Mathieu, Patrick Delisle-Houde and Tommy Dery had singles.
Jake Hayes, Chris Collins, Jordan Kanygin and Jona Szakas scored for Calgary.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
Winnipeg defenceman Matt Bodie was named the Most Valuable Player and Top Defensive Player. Calgary’s Kris Moore took home Top Goalie honours, Mathieu Lecours from Sudbury was the Top Forward. Jordan Burke from the Cole Harbour McCains was named the Most Sportsmanlike Player and Mark Stone from Winnipeg finished the tournament as the Top Scorer. Liam Burtt from the Ottawa Valley Titans won the Esso Scholarship Award. |