Latest news with #2025CentennialCup
Ottawa Citizen
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Lucky toonies and life-long 'brothers': Host Calgary Canucks win Centennial Cup in dominating style
Article content 'Whatever it takes' was how Brad Moran worded his team's run to a national puck title. Article content Article content So when the Calgary Canucks dug a couple of toonies out of the ice amid Sunday's celebration of winning the 2025 Centennial Cup, it seemed to come as no surprise to the head coach of the newly minted Canadian Junior Hockey League champions … Article content Even though he knew nothing of the lucky coins or who put them there. Article content Article content 'One from 1995, and one from 2025,' said the Canucks GM and head coach, his voice dripping with joy after watching his charges score the coveted CJHL crown 30 years — almost to the day — of the franchise's first and only other Centennial Cup. Article content Article content 'So whatever it takes …' continued Moran of the buried treasure. 'I guess that was the gesture.' Article content If there was magic in those toonies, it didn't take the shine off the determination of the Canucks. Article content Moran's men were full marks for the title victory Sunday, executing dominance in a 7-2 taming of the Melfort Mustangs in Sunday's finale, much to the delight of a frenzied 2,720 fans at jam-packed Max Bell Centre. And it was quite the delight for themselves, coming 12 months after losing 2-1 to the same Mustangs in last year's semifinal round of the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont. Article content Revenge best served cold, you could say. Article content Article content 'It's everything I've dreamed of,' said Canucks captain Bowden Singleton, in the moments after hoisting the Centennial Cup on home ice. 'I might get emotional here in a bit, but I'm just soaking everything in right now. Article content 'That feeling of losing last year and looking at the guys that lost is probably one of the saddest things you ever have to go through, because those 20-year-olds, they gave everything they had.' Article content It was a feeling neither he or any of the seven other returnees of the reigning two-time Alberta Junior Hockey League kings wanted to go through again, unlike the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League-champion Mustangs themselves were forced to do for a second straight Centennial Cup after losing last year in the final to Ontario's Collingwood Blues. Article content 'We started off with one goal to win the regular season and then win the AJHL playoffs and then win the Centennial Cup playoffs,' Singleton said. 'Super surreal, the full circle, and we're going to enjoy it for a long time. We're brothers for the rest of our lives.'
Calgary Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Lucky toonies and life-long 'brothers': Host Calgary Canucks win Centennial Cup in dominating style
Article content 'Whatever it takes' was how Brad Moran worded his team's run to a national puck title. Article content Article content So when the Calgary Canucks dug a couple of toonies out of the ice amid Sunday's celebration of winning the 2025 Centennial Cup, it seemed to come as no surprise to the head coach of the newly minted Canadian Junior Hockey League champions … Article content Even though he knew nothing of the lucky coins or who put them there. Article content Article content 'One from 1995, and one from 2025,' said the Canucks GM and head coach, his voice dripping with joy after watching his charges score the coveted CJHL crown 30 years — almost to the day — of the franchise's first and only other Centennial Cup. Article content Article content 'So whatever it takes …' continued Moran of the buried treasure. 'I guess that was the gesture.' Article content If there was magic in those toonies, it didn't take the shine off the determination of the Canucks. Article content Moran's men were full marks for the title victory Sunday, executing dominance in a 7-2 taming of the Melfort Mustangs in Sunday's finale, much to the delight of a frenzied 2,720 fans at jam-packed Max Bell Centre. Article content And it was quite the delight for themselves, coming 12 months after losing 2-1 to the same Mustangs in last year's semifinal round of the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont. Article content Revenge best served cold, you could say. Article content Article content 'It's everything I've dreamed of,' said Canucks captain Bowden Singleton, in the moments after hoisting the Centennial Cup on home ice. 'I might get emotional here in a bit, but I'm just soaking everything in right now. Article content 'That feeling of losing last year and looking at the guys that lost is probably one of the saddest things you ever have to go through, because those 20-year-olds, they gave everything they had.' Article content It was a feeling neither he or any of the seven other returnees of the reigning two-time Alberta Junior Hockey League kings wanted to go through again, unlike the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League-champion Mustangs themselves were forced to do for a second straight Centennial Cup after losing last year in the final to Ontario's Collingwood Blues. Article content 'We started off with one goal to win the regular season and then win the AJHL playoffs and then win the Centennial Cup playoffs,' Singleton said. 'Super surreal, the full circle, and we're going to enjoy it for a long time. We're brothers for the rest of our lives.'
Ottawa Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Wildcats take early lead in QMJHL final
The Moncton Wildcats are off to a strong start in their first quest for the Gilles Courteau Trophy since 2011. Article content Article content The Wildcats defeated the Rimouski Océanic 4-1 before a sold-out crowd in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League final Saturday at the Avenir Centre. Article content They followed it up with a 4-3 triumph in double overtime in Game 2 Sunday night in Moncton to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Article content Article content Vincent Collard was the Wildcats' hero 2:34 into the second extra period in Game 2. Jonathan Fauchon netted the equalizer for Rimouski late in the third. Article content Article content Océanic defenceman Jack Martin, of Upper Coverdale, notched a goal and an assist for the visiting squad, bringing his total for the post-season to 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 14 games. The 19-year-old rearguard – who has family connections in the Miramichi area – registered nine points (three, six) in 25 regular-season games with Rimouski this year. Article content Martin spent parts of the past four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads, where he logged 33 points (11, 22) in 152 regular-season contests, along with six points (one, five) in 25 playoff appearances. Article content Another former Moosehead, Mathieu Cataford, also scored for the Océanic. Article content Juraj Pekarcek, Markus Vidicek, and Julius Sumpf were Moncton's other marksmen in Game 2. Rudy Guimond made 28 stops. Article content The Wildcats' scorers in the series opener were Pekarcik, Vidicek, Collard, and Preston Lounsbury. Mathis Rousseau made 13 saves for the win. Article content Article content Maxime Coursol netted the lone Rimouski goal in Game 1. Mathis Langevin stopped 34 shots in the losing cause. Article content Game 3 of the QMJHL final is Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Sun Life Financial Coliseum, followed by Game 4 Thursday at 8 p.m. If needed, the series will return to Moncton for Game 5 Saturday at 7 p.m., with Game 6 slated for May 19 at 2 p.m. in Rimouski. Article content If necessary, Game 7 will be played May 20 at 7 p.m. in Moncton. All game times are listed in the Atlantic time zone. Article content The series winner will earn the Gilles Courteau Trophy, but both teams will compete at the Memorial Cup tournament as Rimouski is the host team and is guaranteed a spot. Article content The Maritime Junior Hockey League's Edmundston Blizzard won their first game at the 2025 Centennial Cup tournament in Calgary and lost their second contest. Article content The Blizzard opened the tournament with a 4-3 overtime win over Ontario's Rockland Nationals May 8 at the Max Bell Centre. They followed it up with a 5-3 setback against Saskatchewan's Melfort Mustangs Saturday night. Article content Edmundston will take on Quebec's Valleyfield Braves Monday at 3 p.m., then hit the ice Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. for a date with the host Calgary Canucks.
Ottawa Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Split weekend leaves Calgary Canucks in control of Centennial Cup playoff fate
Article content It was a split weekend for the host Calgary Canucks at the 2025 Centennial Cup. Article content A 7-2 loss to the Rockland Nationals on Sunday followed an 11-6 win over the Valleyfield Braves on Saturday, pushing the home-side squad to a 2-0-1-0 record in round-robin action at the Canadian Junior Hockey League's national championship. Article content Goals by Rhys Jamieson and Jack Plandowski in the third period against the Nationals weren't nearly enough for the Canucks to keep themselves undefeated in the latest affair for the Alberta Junior Hockey League kings at Max Bell Centre. Article content Article content But the barrage to beat the Braves 24 hours earlier, when Nathan Maloney, Gavin Schmidt and captain Bowden Singleton each counted four points put the Canucks in position to determine their own playoff fate at the 11-day tournament. Article content Article content 'We were a little sleepy at first,' said Canucks GM/head coach Brad Moran of Saturday's key contest, which set a record for most combined goals in a single game — 17 — at the Centennial Cup. 'And I think once we got our heads in the game, we were able to execute better and put some pucks in the net. Article content 'As the game went on, the team found a way to make some nice plays,' Moran continued. 'We don't want to give up as much, but we'll take the goals for sure. Article content 'Our turnovers and puck management (needs to be better), because we gave up too many odd-man rushes. Article content 'These games can be a little weird at times, so we'll take it with the way it ended up, but we want to be a lot cleaner on the defensive side.' Article content A win Tuesday by the Canucks — who face the CJHL's top-ranked team in the Edmundston Blizzard (0-1-1-0) at Max Bell (7:30 p.m.) — will slot them into the six-team playoffs at the 10-team tournament to decide a national champ. Article content Article content The Nationals sport Group B's best record with a 2-0-0-1 mark, while the Canucks are next at 2-0-1-0. The Melfort Mustangs are 1-0-0-1, while the Blizzard are 0-1-1-0 and the Braves are 0-0-2-0 … In Group A action through Sunday, it's the Northern Manitoba Blizzard leading with a 1-0-0-1 record. Then it's the Grande Prairie Storm at 1-0-1-0 — after Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cam River Fighting Walleye — the Greater Sudbury Cubs also at 1-0-1-0, the Trenton Golden Hawks at 0-1-0-1 and the Fighting Walleye at 0-2-0-0 … Monday's round-robin action at Max Bell pits: the Braves v. the Edmundston Blizzard (noon); the Cubs v. the Golden Hawks (4 p.m.); and the Northern Manitoba Blizzard v. the Fighting Walleye (7:30 p.m.).
Calgary Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Split weekend leaves Calgary Canucks in control of Centennial Cup playoff fate
Article content It was a split weekend for the host Calgary Canucks at the 2025 Centennial Cup. Article content A 7-2 loss to the Rockland Nationals on Sunday followed an 11-6 win over the Valleyfield Braves on Saturday, pushing the home-side squad to a 2-0-1-0 record in round-robin action at the Canadian Junior Hockey League's national championship. Article content Goals by Rhys Jamieson and Jack Plandowski in the third period against the Nationals weren't nearly enough for the Canucks to keep themselves undefeated in the latest affair for the Alberta Junior Hockey League kings at Max Bell Centre. Article content Article content But the barrage to beat the Braves 24 hours earlier, when Nathan Maloney, Gavin Schmidt and captain Bowden Singleton each counted four points put the Canucks in position to determine their own playoff fate at the 11-day tournament. Article content Article content 'We were a little sleepy at first,' said Canucks GM/head coach Brad Moran of Saturday's key contest, which set a record for most combined goals in a single game — 17 — at the Centennial Cup. 'And I think once we got our heads in the game, we were able to execute better and put some pucks in the net. Article content 'As the game went on, the team found a way to make some nice plays,' Moran continued. 'We don't want to give up as much, but we'll take the goals for sure. Article content 'Our turnovers and puck management (needs to be better), because we gave up too many odd-man rushes. Article content 'These games can be a little weird at times, so we'll take it with the way it ended up, but we want to be a lot cleaner on the defensive side.' Article content A win Tuesday by the Canucks — who face the CJHL's top-ranked team in the Edmundston Blizzard (0-1-1-0) at Max Bell (7:30 p.m.) — will slot them into the six-team playoffs at the 10-team tournament to decide a national champ. Article content Article content The Nationals sport Group B's best record with a 2-0-0-1 mark, while the Canucks are next at 2-0-1-0. The Melfort Mustangs are 1-0-0-1, while the Blizzard are 0-1-1-0 and the Braves are 0-0-2-0 … In Group A action through Sunday, it's the Northern Manitoba Blizzard leading with a 1-0-0-1 record. Then it's the Grande Prairie Storm at 1-0-1-0 — after Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cam River Fighting Walleye — the Greater Sudbury Cubs also at 1-0-1-0, the Trenton Golden Hawks at 0-1-0-1 and the Fighting Walleye at 0-2-0-0 … Monday's round-robin action at Max Bell pits: the Braves v. the Edmundston Blizzard (noon); the Cubs v. the Golden Hawks (4 p.m.); and the Northern Manitoba Blizzard v. the Fighting Walleye (7:30 p.m.).
