Would someone like to explain to me why the West and Pacific have best of 7 series and and Central and East have 4 team tournaments?
Seems not right for some reason?
Yes an age old debate but I've never gotten a satisfactory answer? Appears to favour West and Pacific in this format IMHO.
No surprise that Humboldt swept Portage. Humboldt was ranked No. 1 in the country for most of 2008. They lost once in the final two-and-a-half months of the season - in a shootout no less. I think they're a better team that the squad that won the RBC in 2003.
I don't know how Kindersley was able to take them to seven games in the SJHL final. But after Humboldt came back from 3-1 down, I knew they'd cruise over Portage. Too skilled, too deep, and too mature. Most mature, poised Junior A team I've ever seen.
What really stinks is that the AJHL and BCHL have to face each other each year for the right to advance to the RBC. The two best leagues in Canada (IMO), and one of the teams has to get knocked out each year. Would love to see the MJHL have to face the AJHL and BCHL vs. SJHL for the right to advance, or some other variation from time to time...
I watched both team, and I agree that this team is better. While the 03 team had a bit better top end talent, there depth was nowhere near this team on both ends of the ice. Nelson is a better goaltender then Connors was even, when he's on his game
Was Sean Connors the goalie in 03?
theres how many junior a levels in canada?
i dont see why they dont have one from each province represent and do a tournament that way
Im Pretty sure it goes Maj. Junior-->Jr. A----->Jr. B----->Jr. C
Could be wrong though. Not all provinces have Jr. A leagues. Mjahl has 3 provinces in it, Newfoundland is not represented for obvious reasons, P.E.I only has 2 teams, it wouldnt work to have a team from each province go to a Jr. A playdown.
As of right now, Oakville will be without their starting goalie and MVP Scott Greenham. He turned 21 on April 24th and hasn't played a game since, as he would lose a year of eligibility. This is not good news for the Oakville Blades as he was their back bone in the playoffs.
Jr. A crushers won the Fred Page Cup as the host team after coming into the tournament unranked in the canadian Jr. A hockey league top 15 (pembroke - 1, yarmouth - 5, sherbrooke -15 were all ranked). They came back to beat pembroke in the finals (4-1) after losing to them in the opening game 7-1.
Still can't believe New Glasgow is going to the RBC Cup. Nobody, including me, gave them a chance at the FPC. 62% voted they would finish last in a local newspaper poll. Will be interesting to see how they do.
oh oops. i meant junior leagues like ajhl bchl mjcl and so on.
ive seen junior C, not the greatest i can tell ya that.