PHOTO BY SCOTT VANKOUGHNETT
With three goals in the final six minutes, the Calgary Hitmen stole a victory away from the Moncton Wildcats, 5-4, in game two of the Memorial Cup Saturday afternoon.
In what we’ve come to expect from Memorial Cups in the past, a major come from behind victory gave one team their first win, while the other was left dumbfounded of how they could let it slip away.
“I think we played twenty good minutes then we tried to sit back on it and it cost us,” said a visibly upset Wildcats’ forward Alex Saulnier.
The ‘Cats got off to a great start, as they built a three goal lead with just under six minutes left in the second period on goals by Devon MacAusland, David Savard, and Saulnier.
By the end of the period however, Tyler Fiddler popped the first goal of the game for the Hitmen, and gave them life going into the third.
The turning point of the game came at 3:08 of the third period, as the Hitmen’s Martin Jones made a spectacular save at one end leading to Joel Broda’s first goal of the tournament cutting the lead to 3-2.
“Ya it definitely gave us some life,” said Broda, a distant relative to the great goaltender Turk Broda. “It was earlier on in the third and it gave us a lot of time to try and make a comeback.”
Jones agreed with Broda that it was a big goal for their team.
“There’s those turning points in the game, kind of the game within the game, and we got behind the eight ball a bit,” he said. “But then we were able to turn the momentum a bit and get things going.”
Saulnier scored his second of the game for the Wildcats with just over eleven minutes left, but then the game came unravled for the QMJHL champions.
“In the first period we were cycling and playing hard and then tried to sit back,” said Saulnier. “We let them dictate the play out there.”
And sit back they did, allowing the Hitmen to score those aforementioned three goals.
Giffen Nyren, Kris Foucault, and Tyler Shattock – who jumped on a terrible bounce off the end boards – finished off the comeback.
“You can’t expect to play a good first period and try to win the game,” Saulnier said. “I hope we learn from our mistakes and get ready for next game.”
Broda felt as though his team played well, but that they’ll need to start off well in their next game against Windsor to have a chance.
“We just need to make sure that we’re keeping it simple, not over complicate it or shy away from the physical part of the game,” he said. “We need to get involved early and hopefully that’s the recipe for a better start.”
Moncton has little time to regroup, as they face the host Brandon Wheat Kings tomorrow afternoon at 2pm (3pm EST).
Post-game video can be found here
Topics: Alex Saulnier, Brandon Wheat Kings, Calgary Hitmen, David Savard, Joel Broda, Martin Jones, Moncton Wildcats, Turk Broda, Tyler Fiddler, Windsor Spitfires
Latest Headlines
- Hoefflin performs in shutdown role
- Yakupov Leading The Way
- Quinn and Recchi Lead Prospects into Kelowna
- All Eyes on Faksa
- ASG Skills Competition Participants Selected
- Hyka’s NHL Team in Limbo
- Excitement Builds for NHL Prospects Game
- Mrazek shines in first Under-20 experience
- No More Mr. Magician
- Sweden Relishes World Junior Glory
- Beaulieu a prized prospect for Montreal
- Team Canada set to face Russia in WJC Semifinal
- Sergeev is Foreurs jack-of-all-trades
- Gibson forged interesting path to Team Finland cage
- Q Round-up: American Coyle signs with Sea Dogs
In The News
Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for U-17 Hockey Challenge
Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for first taste of international competition at the U-17 Hockey Challenge, competing with Team Ontario at the end of the month in Windsor, Ontario
Gourde keeping pace with the scoring leaders
Victoriaville forward wrestles scoring lead with help from Tigres linemate, team depth
Abeltshauser adds leadership, control from blueline
German defenceman plays solid two-way hockey for Halifax and on the world stage
Richard Finding Success in Guelph
Another of the OHL's Tanner's - Richard that is - is the Storm's leading scorer and will suit up for Switzerland at the U-20’s
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jesse Michael. Jesse Michael said: #MemorialCup Post-game story on the Hitmen victory –> http://tinyurl.com/2ct7xsq [...]
[...] Hitmen Shock Wildcats In Game Two | Open Ice Hockey [...]
[...] Hitmen Shock Wildcats In Game Two | Open Ice Hockey [...]
[...] Hitmen Shock Wildcats In Game Two | Open Ice Hockey [...]
[...] Hitmen Shock Wildcats In Game Two | Open Ice Hockey [...]
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!