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Ottawa Citizen

Hockey Headlines: NL teams, players still in the hunt as playoff season begins

Article content While the end of April typically has sports fans across the province dusting off their golf clubs and softball bats in anticipation of the spring and summer sports season, there's no shortage of meaningful hockey being played by players and teams from across Newfoundland and Labrador. Article content Article content From a tantalizing all-NL matchup in the tournament for Canadian senior hockey's top prize to the province's new major junior hockey club preparing for its first draft, let's take a look at who's making noise in the provincial hockey scene as we head into the final week of April. Article content Article content With two local teams in Flamborough, ON, this week competing in the Allan Cup Challenge, the hockey gods have gifted Newfoundland and Labrador hockey fans with the ultimate semifinal matchup. Article content The Clarenville Caribous (2-0-0) and the St. John's Capitals (1-2-0) are set to do battle at 5 p.m. NST on Friday, April 25, with the winner advancing to Saturday's championship game. Article content Former Newfoundland Growler and St. John's native Jordan Escott is tied for the tournament lead in points with five (3G, 2A) for the Capitals, while Caribous netminder A.J. Whiffen leads all goaltenders in save percentage (.958 per cent) and goals against average (1.50). Article content At 50 years of age, former St. John's Maple Leaf David Ling is skating in the tournament with the Stoney Creek Tigers. The Halifax, NS, native was selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Ling was the Baby Leafs' leading scorer (28G, 60A) in their final season in 2004-2005. Article content The championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. NST on Saturday, April 26, from Harry Howell Arena in Flamborough and will be streamed online at Article content Article content The Regiment had a 10 per cent chance of nabbing the first overall draft selection in the lottery, but that went to the Saint John Sea Dogs.