Monctonian Won by the Halifax Titans and Calgary Bruins

The 31st Annual Monctonian AAA Challenge has wrapped up and the the two champions of the 50 team event have been decided. The Halifax Titans defeated the Fredricton Canadiens to claim the Major Division and the Calgary Bruins claimed top spot over the Mid-Isle Matrix in the Minor Division.

Halifax played the Valley Wildcats in the semi finals Sunday morning and were victorious 5-2 on the strength of John Mullally's 4 points. Fredricton meanwhile played their second straight overtime game as the St. Johns Privateers gave them all they could handle. Alex Lewicki scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 game. In the championship game the Titans brought the first ever Monctonian title to the Halifax region with the 3-2 win. Fredricton opened the scoring early in the second period, only to have Halifax answer with 2 goals. Noah Zilbert scored early in the third but John Mullally answerd with the final and game winning goal of the contest. Mason MacDonald was recognized as top goaltender and Alex Hazlehurst was named MVP of the championship game both from Halifax. Fredrictons Noah Zilbert was most sportsmanlike.

In the Minor Division the Calgary Bruins used 2 powerplay goals early in the third period to build a 4-2 lead on defending champion Mid-Isle Matrix. Final score was 4-3. Jordan Mayhew lead all scorers with 2 goals and 1 assist including a penalty shot in the first period. Chase Rainville, top goaltender, and Zack Finlay, MVP recieved the individual awards for Calgary.

- Mike Lord

Monctonian Day 3 Wrap Up

Major Midget Semi Finals and Minor Midget Finals are set for Sunday. In the Major Midget Division The St. John's Privateers will meet the Fredricton Canadiens and the Valley Wildcats face the Halifax Titans. In Minor Midget the Calgary Bruins try to do what noone in Atlantic Canada has been able to do this season, and that is beat the Mid-Isle Matrix.

 

The Privateers and Canadiens both used 2-1 victories to reach the semis. Marcus Cuomo scored the game winner for St. John's as they beat the Cole Harbour Wolfpack. Fredricton needed overtime and Zach Whitlock was the hero as the Canadies upended Dartmouth Talor Flooring. Ryan MacEachern scored a goal and set up the winner as Halifax defeated Cape Breton 3-2. Valley Wildcats road to the semi final went through Pictou County as Nick Blanchard was in on all 3 goals, scoring 2. Pictou could only muster a lone tally. Semi final action is at 9 am and the Final is at 3 pm.

 

In the Minor Midget Division the defending champs, Mid-Isle Matrix built a 5-0 lead and cruised to a 5-2 victory over the very tired Bedford Blues. Jordan Mayhew led the way with a goal and 2 assist and Jonathan Richards had 2 goals. Bedford refused to quit and put in a great effort but 12 periods of hockey in 1 day proved to be too much. In the other semi final match up the Calgary Bruins scored twice in the final period including an empty netter as they handed the Saint John Phantoms only their second loss of the year 4-2. Patrick Lyster scored the winner.

 

Calgary and Mid-Isle will meet at 11:30 am to decide a champion.

 

- Mike Lord