Prospect Info: 2014 Memorial Cup - Nikita Zadorov/Brady Austin - London Knights

[LaxSabre]

Tweets - Game #3 - London Knights vs Edmonton Oil Kings - First Period.

@EdmOilKings - #OilKings starters vs. @GoLondonKnights - Goalie-Jarry. Defence-Sautner, Reinhart. Forward-Pollock, Lazar, Petryk.

@GoLondonKnights - HERE WE GO! GAME ON! (LaxSabre - Go Knights! Zad with a hit already!)
@GoLondonKnights - @zadorov61 gets things going with the physical stuff less than a minute into the game! It's gonna be a good one!

@JeffMarek - Tonight's London/Edmonton line combos with a little Alex Grey art on the iPad -
https://twitter.com/JeffMarek/status/468144879689011200/photo/1
@MCMemorialCup - Here we go! Game #3 between @GoLondonKnights & @EdmOilKings -
https://twitter.com/MCMemorialCup/status/468169286943375360/photo/1

@GoLondonKnights - Bell/Moroz both off for roughing five mins in! The boys have set the tone with some strong physical play!
‏@EdmOilKings - Zach Bell and Mitch Moroz are sent off for a minor dust-up, and we'll play 4v4.
@GoLondonKnights - @Marner93 with silky smooth moves into the @EdmOilKings zone/finds Basso for a one-timer that Jarry just sees!
‏@EdmOilKings - Eller is tripped up and we'll play 4v3 for 22 seconds then 5v4 as the #OilKings get a PP.
‏@EdmOilKings - Anderson runs over Jarry behind the net and it's a 5v3 for the #OilKings
@GoLondonKnights - 5v3 for 1:05 - BIG PK coming up for the boys. Anderson called for goaltender interference.
‏@EdmOilKings - #OILKINGS GOAL!!!!! Petryk with a one timer from the high slot just as the 5 on 4 PP expires. 1-0!!!
‏@EdmOilKings - The #DanishBulldozer (Mads Eller) goes to work on the forecheck, drilling Basso and one of the Ruperts.
‏@EdmOilKings - Kulda tries to cut behind Stolarz behind the London net, and the London goalie goes down. Kulda headed to the box.
@GoLondonKnights - Kulda now takes his seat in the #sinbin for tripping... to the PP we go!
LaxSabre - Zads shot from the point on the PP was blocked by Samuelson - took too long to blast it.
Knights power-play not good - now they get called for a penalty that negates the final twenty-five secs or so of the PP. And figures its the other Sabres prospect heading to the box.
‏@EdmOilKings - Austin getting a trip to the sin bin with 23 seconds left in the Kulda minor. #OilKings PP coming up.

LaxSabre - Ryan Rupert with a shorthanded breakaway and he is taken down! Penalty shot for the Knights! second game in a row - can they score this time? Ryan Rupert dekes, shoots, tries to put it through Jarrys legs - nope! its saved! Still 1-0 Oil Kings - and they still have the PP for 20 secs or so.
‏@EdmOilKings - Rupert awarded a penalty shot, but Jarry slams the door to keep it 1-0!
@GoLondonKnights - Ryan Rupert penalty shot is barely stopped with the stick of Jarry. 1-0 Oil Kings late in the first.
LaxSabre - Knights kill the rest of the penalty and Zadorov tries to set up Austin but they can't connect. A few minutes later - Zadorov with another huge hit - third of the game! dudes a animal! Period ends - Edmonton leads London 1-0. Looks like a penalty on the Knights after the whistle - Oil Kings will have a penalty, the start of the Second Period.
‏@EdmOilKings - After the first Period - the #OilKings lead 1-0.
@GoLondonKnights - 20 mins gone and Knights trail 1-0 heading into the dressing room. Shots On Goal - LDN 11 - EDM 14.

‏@SabresProspects - Zadorov/Austin get the start together for London. Zadorov stands a guy up with nice open ice hit on his second shift. Knights trail Oil Kings 1-0 End 1st. Zadorov throwing his weight around. Three solid pops, including classic hip check in final minute.
Ice NHL94 ‏@INHL94 - @SabresProspects - Any 2014 prospects to watch in this tourney Kris?
@SabresProspects - Fabbri (GUE), Pollock, Mayo, Irving, re-entry Kulda (EDM), Aube-Kubel (VDO) - Marner (LDN) a 2015 prize.

 

[LaxSabre]

Tweets - Game #3 - London Knights vs Edmonton Oil Kings - Second Period.

@GoLondonKnights - We are underway in the second! Let's get LOUD and stay LOUD Knights fans!!!
‏@EdmOilKings - We're back with 2nd Period action from London. #OilKings up 1-0 on the Knights.
LaxSabre - Game Back On! Knights on the PK - Go Knights Go!
LaxSabre - Now Austin throwing his body around - helps the Knights clear the puck from their end.
Penalty killed and Knights player comes out of box - mini-breakaway and Jarry with the save.
A couple of minutes later - Ryan Rupert nails the goal post!
@GoLondonKnights - Knights to the PP - Baddock to the #sinbin
‏@EdmOilKings - Baddock sent to the box for interference and the #OilKings PK will have to go to work.

LaxSabre - Knights with pressure on the PP - get nothing - Oil Kings kill it and go down and score to take a 2-0 lead. Kulda with the goal, his second point of the game - beat Stolarz high blocker side. 6:09 - 2nd Period. Now a penalty on the Knights - Marnier to the box.
‏@EdmOilKings - #OILKINGS GOAL!!!! 2-0!!!!! Kulda!
‏@EdmOilKings - Marner gets called for slashing and the #OilKings will head back to the PK.
LaxSabre - Domi steals a pass - tries to feed - tries to feed Horvat and can't connect. After a couple of Stolarz saves, pushing and shoving after the whistle and Samuelsson is called for a penalty - London will have a PP in 39 seconds.
‏@EdmOilKings - Bell cross-checks Samuelsson four times after the whistle in front of the London goal, but it's Samuelsson off for 2 for slashing. LaxSabre - couple of chances for the Knights but Jarry comes up big including on a backhand on Horvat.
LaxSabre - Ruperts and Austin with a scoring chance - couldn't get it by Jarry. 7 mins left - 2nd Period.

LaxSabre - GOAL!!! LONDON!!! FINALLY! - 2-1 Edmonton. Basso slap-shot beats Jarry. Knights first goal of the Memorial Cup comes after 96 minutes of scoreless play. Tierney and Matt Rupert with the assists - 3:48 left in the Second Period.
@GoLondonKnights - GOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL! What a LASER from Basso after @tierney71 sends him a swift pass!
We are back in it! 2-1 with close to 4 minutes to play in the second period!
‏@EdmOilKings - Basso's slapshot gets through and the #OilKings lead 2-1 with 3:48 to go in the 2nd.

LaxSabre - Crap - Edmonton gets the goal right back - 3-1 Oil Kings - Kulda with his second - 1:56 left in 2nd Period.
‏@EdmOilKings - Kulda does it again! 3-1 #OilKings!!!! - Corbett with an assist - 18:06 of the 2nd Period.
@GoLondonKnights - Kulda extends the lead to 3-1 with 1:56 to go in the 2nd Period.

LaxSabre - End 2nd Period - Edmonton Oil Kings 3 London Knights 1.
Oil Kings Goals - 2nd - Kulda (2) - Knights Goals - 2nd - Basso.
Shots On Goal - 2nd - 17-16 London - Game - 30-28 Edmonton.
‏@EdmOilKings - Through two periods, the #OilKings lead London 3-1.
@GoLondonKnights - Forty mins in the books and Knights trail 3-1. Shots On Goal - LDN - 28, EDM - 30.

‏@SabresProspects - Edgars Kulda has 2+1 tonight to give Edmonton a 3-1 lead on London - End 2nd.
Since Buffalo is Riga West, might as mention that he's Latvian.
‏London's Mitch Marner is shifty and skilled. Fun to watch.
We all love McSavior, Eichel, Hanifin, but the 2015 class cuts pretty deep.

 

[Tapu Coco]

Zadorov is just so good at lining people up, he's gotten Eller good a couple times

 

[LaxSabre]

Tweets - Game #3 - London Knights vs Edmonton Oil Kings - Third Period.

LaxSabre - We have a goalie change - Jake Patterson leads the Knights onto the ice.
‏@EdmOilKings - 3rd Period action coming up from London in the #MCMemorialCup! #OilKings #TakeItALL
@GoLondonKnights - To start the frame @jakepatterson35 is in net. #KnightsTalk
LaxSabre - GAME BACK ON! GO KNIGHTS! - ugh, Zadorov gets called for boarding - Edmonton to the PP. Didn't look like a penalty to me - gotta be a huge kill for the Knights here. Now a penalty on Reinhart - interference - who monents before the Zadorov penalty had the puck skip by his stick. Otherwise he would have scored. We are now 4 on 4.
‏@EdmOilKings - Zadorov gets called for boarding on a hit on Pollock. #OilKings PP coming.
‏@EdmOilKings - Reinhart called for interference now. 1:14 of 4v4 coming.
LaxSabre - Couple of chances for the Knights - we are now back to 5v5.
LaxSabre - Zadorov with a hit in the neutral zone - loose puck is picked up by Bertolucci who skates in the London end, uses the Knights defenceman as a screen and beats Patterson for the goal. 4-1 Edmonton with over 14 mins left in the 3rd Period.
‏@EdmOilKings - WOW!! Bertolucci rips one off the far post to put the #OilKings up 4-1! What a shot! #TakeItALL
LaxSabre - now a Delay of Game call against Austin - Edmonton to the PP. London kills the penalty.
‏@EdmOilKings - Great set up for Moroz for a tip in front by Reinhart, but Patterson comes up with a great glove save.
‏@EdmOilKings - Corbett drills Dvorak along the right-side boards! Huge Hit from @nippintwine!

LaxSabre - GOAL LONDON!! 4-2 Edmonton - Dakota Mermis! from Max Domi! - Mermis bangs home the rebound and its a two goal lead for the Oil Kings. Less than 11 minutes remaining in the 3rd Period. There was a delayed call on Edmonton that was wiped out due to the goal.
@GoLondonKnights - MEERRRRMIISSSS! @dmermis06 gets the Knights back in it with a huge goal from the slot to cut the lead to 4-2. Domi and Yakimowicz with the assists.
‏@EdmOilKings - With a delayed penalty coming to Edmonton, Mermis pots a rebound to make it 4-2.
‏@EdmOilKings - With 9:57 left in the game, the #OilKings lead London 4-2. Shots are 35-32 for Edmonton.

@OHLHockey - Nikita @zadorov61 opening game @MCMemorialCup jersey - currently at $600 to benefit legion fund bid - http://auction.chl.ca - Update - its now $648.

LaxSabre - huge save by Patterson to keep this a two goal game - six minutes left. Comes up big again a couple of mins later - Knights running out of time. Sigh - Knights penalty with 3:22 remaining. Stupid penalty by McCarron - punch after the whistle.
‏@EdmOilKings - Terrific shift from Eller-Kieser-Bertolucci, creating about four scoring chances, can't beat Patterson.
@GoLondonKnights - McCarron to the box with 3:22 to play and the Knights down by 2.
‏@EdmOilKings - McCarron heading to the box after a sucker punch on Moroz.

LaxSabre - Goal Edmonton - Bertolucci with a PPG - makes it 5-2 - thats the ball-game. Reinhart sets him up.
@GoLondonKnights - Bertolucci scores on the PP to make it 5-2.
‏@EdmOilKings - BERTOLUCCI AGAIN!!! Reinhart with a beauty set up and Bert converts on the PPG! 5-2 #OilKings #TakeItALL

@EdmOilKings - #OilKings win!!! it's a 5-2 final over London at the #MCMemorialCup, improving to 1-1! #TakeItALL
@GoLondonKnights - A tough 5-2 loss. Back in action on Wed to take on the @Storm_City in what should be a spirited match-up.

LaxSabre - Game Over - Edmonton wins 5-2. Edmonton will face Val-d'Or on Tuesday.
London will face Guelph in a must-win game on Wednesday. Standings - Val-d'Or 1-0. Guelph 1-0.
(Both teams will face each other on Monday.) Edmonton 1-1 and London 0-2.
Oil King Goals - 3rd - Bertolucci (2) - Knights Goal - Mermis. SOG - 3rd - 13-12 Edmonton - Game - 43-40 Edmonton.

 

[hizzoner]

The London forwards are being exposed as small, fast with hands of stone. They like to do things solo also....

 

[Paxon]

The London forwards are being exposed as small, fast with hands of stone. They like to do things solo also....

They weren't all that impressive whenever I caught them this year really. Guelph will probably run over them, too.

 

[DazedandConfused]

It's not the Mem Cup but the RBC Cup is about to head into overtime on TSN if anyone's interested.

CPC is 20 minutes from me and beat my hometown in the final, got one kid whose supposed to go in the mid-rounds (3-5), Kelly Summers.

 

[Zip15]

What a disappointing year for the Knights, what with all that returning talent. I hope Zads is back in junior next year.

 

[LaxSabre]

Memorial Cup Result - Sunday, May 18 - Game #3 - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 5 - London Knights (OHL-Host) 2.

Oil Kings Triumph Over Knights - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Sunday, May 18.

The Edmonton Oil Kings picked up their first victory of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup on Sunday night with a 5-2 win over the host London Knights. Forwards Edgars Kulda and Luke Bertolucci each scored twice for the WHL champs while Reid Petryk added a single marker for the Oil Kings who improve their record to 1-1.

Petryk gave the Oil Kings a 1-0 lead at 9:42 of the first period by finishing off a one-timer to the high glove side on Knights’ goaltender and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Anthony Stolarz. After being shutout in their first game against the Val-d'Or Foreurs, the Knights’ goal scoring troubles continued in the first period when forward Ryan Rupert was denied by Jarry on a penalty shot to preserve the Oil Kings’ 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Knights finally got on the board late in the second period. Trailing 2-0, defenceman Alex Basso blasted a shot that hit Jarry but the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect couldn’t corral the puck as the host side cut the deficit to 2-1. Momentum shifted back in the Oil Kings’ favour less than two minutes later when Kulda helped regain the two-goal lead with his second of the night capitalizing off a goal mouth scramble which held as the game-winner at the 18:04 mark of the second period.

Jake Patterson took over in the Knights’ crease to start the third period but the Oil Kings’ offense continued to press resulting in another two goals both courtesy of Bertolucci including one with the man advantage ending the Oil Kings power play drought at 12 while the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Mermis would add a goal in the third for the Knights who have managed just a pair of goals after producing an average of 4.6 per game throughout the regular season.

The Knights drop to 0-2 and face a must-win game on Wednesday night with a shot at redemption against the Guelph Storm who eliminated them in the second round of the OHL playoffs last month. The 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup continues on Monday as the Storm faceoff against the QMJHL champion Val-d'Or Foreurs at 7:00 pm ET on Sportsnet.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/oil-kings-triumph-over-knights/162673

Game #3 Summary - Oil Kings 5 Knights 2 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66880
Game #3 Scoresheet - Oil kings 5 Knights 2 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66880

Game #3 Highlights - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/6323522cd8c9f8fb967dd9ed3e9ccfbd

 

[LaxSabre]

Oil Kings Trump Knights 5-2 - Marc Ciampa - OilKings.ca - Sunday, May 18.

London, Ontario - The Edmonton Oil Kings bounced back in a big way as two goals each from Edgars Kulda and Luke Bertolucci helped lead them to a convincing 5-2 victory of the host London Knights on Sunday night. "We knew our backs were against the wall a little bit. We wanted to respond and get it back to 1-1 and even things up. Resilient group as always and I'm proud of our effort," said Oil Kings forward and Oilers prospect Mitch Moroz after the game.

Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal echoed the thoughts of Moroz when it came to the team's ability to bounce back. "You've got to give your group a lot of credit. I think we showed that resiliency tonight. London came out in the first seven or eight minutes with a real good push and (then) we kind of established a bit of traction in our game," he began. "At the end of the day, it's the first win of the tournament for us and we get a day of rest tomorrow before moving on to Tuesday."

With the win, the Oil Kings record at the Memorial Cup improves to 1-1 with one more round robin game against Val d'Or on Tuesday. The club also clinched at least a spot in Thursdays tiebreaker with a win Tuesday guaranteeing them a date in Friday's semifinal match-up.

http://www.oilkings.ca/article/oil-kings-trump-knights
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knights On The Edge Of Elimination - LondonKnights.com -Sunday, May 18.

The London Knights and the Guelph Storm have played some incredible games against one another in their histories. Wednesday night has the makings of one of the wildest. A 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday night in London’s second game at the MasterCard has pushed the hosts to the edge of elimination. They must defeat the Storm to stay alive in the Championship.

The Oil Kings got the jump on the Knights by opening the scoring at 9:42 of the first. London had managed to kill off a 5-on-3 Edmonton power play, but moments after the penalty ended, Reid Petryk converted a one-timer to give Edmonton a 1-0 lead. The Knights would get a large opportunity on the next Oil Kings’ power play as Ryan Rupert was sent in alone and hauled down. That produced the second London penalty shot in a span of two games, but for the second straight game, the Knights came away without a goal on the in-alone attempt.

The second period saw the Oil Kings add to their lead on a goal by Edgars Kulda. The Knights kept pushing and finally broke through for their first goal of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup at the 16:12 mark of the middle period as Alex Basso slapped a puck from the left side of the Oil Kings’ zone off Edmonton goalie Tristan Jarry and in. That broughy a huge burst of noise to a crowd that did a great job staying active throughout the game. However, the elation did not last long as Edgars Kulda scored his second of the period 1:52 later to give the Oil Kings a 3-1 advantage which is how the score stayed through two.

The Knights made a switch in net to start the third as Jake Patterson entered in place of Anthony Stolarz. Before the Knights could cut Edmonton’s lead, the Oil Kings increased it. Luke Bertolucci scored his first of two in the period to make the score 4-1. On a delayed penalty call, London did hit the scoreboard again as Dakota Mermis banged home a Max Domi shot with C.J. Yakimovich on the doorstep to make it 4-2, but that is as close as London would get. Patterson made two wildly incredible stops late, but a Bertolucci goal on a rebound ended the scoring at 5-2.

http://www.londonknights.com/article/knights-on-the-edge-of-elimination

 

[LaxSabre]

Oil Kings Too Much For Knights - Ryan Pyette - London Free Press - lfpress.com - Sunday, May 18.

London fans waited 96:12 for the Knights to score a goal at this Memorial Cup. They had less than 2:00 to celebrate it.

After defenceman Alex Basso finally cracked the goose egg in the second period, Edmonton's Latvian winger Edgars Kulda scored on a bank shot from behind the goal line to restore a two-goal Oil Kings lead and push the winless Cup hosts to the brink of elimination in a 5-2 decision before 8,863 Sunday night at Budweiser Gardens. The Knights need to beat the OHL champion Guelph Storm, who knocked them out of the playoffs, on Wednesday night to stay alive. The 2003 Quebec Remparts are the only host team to finish 0-3 at their own Cup.

“It kinda sucked they scored right after and ruined our momentum,” Basso, the fifth-year blueliner said. “A shot below the goal line and it trickled in a little bit. It's just about putting the puck in the net right now. There's so much skill on our team. It's not like we didn't have scoring chances.”

They missed a penalty shot attempt for the second time in two games. Edmonton's Tristan Jarry closed the five-hole on Ryan Rupert in the first period. The Knights, a team that had eight 20-goal scorers, has zero goals from its forwards so far. It doesn't have a power-play marker, either.

http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/18/l...nton-oil-kings-at-the-memorial-cup-tournament
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Kings Bounce Back - Hand Knights Another Loss - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Sunday, May 18.

London, Ontario - The Edmonton Oil Kings pushed the host London Knights to the brink of elimination at the Memorial Cup with a 5-2 victory on Sunday. Edgars Kulda and Luke Bertolucci each scored twice for the Oil Kings, who played their second game in as many nights and improved to 1-1. Kulda had an assist for a three-point night and Reid Petryk also scored for the Western Hockey League champions. Oil Kings goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 38 shots, including a penalty shot late in the first period. The Knights fell to 0-2. London must win the final round-robin game of the tournament Wednesday against the Ontario Hockey League champion Guelph Storm to avoid elimination.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/oil-kings-recover-hand-knights-another-loss/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Punchless Knights Back Into The Corner - Derrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Sunday, May 18.

London, Ontario - For the second straight game, the London Knights’ offence dried up in the face of a hot goaltender and now their backs are against the wall with two losses in the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Tristan Jarry saw fewer shots than the Knights peppered Val-d’Or netminder Antoine Bibeau with on Friday, but the result was the same with a 5-2 decision for the Oil Kings. With the win, the Oil Kings assured themselves a tiebreaker at the very least while the Knights now have one final chance at remaining alive, needing a win on Wednesday over the Guelph Storm, the team that eliminated them in the playoffs a month ago.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/punchless-knights-backed-into-a-corner/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game #4 - Monday, May 19 - Guelph Storm (OHL-Champions) vs Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) - 7:00 pm ET - LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific - Tape Delay - NHL Network-United States - Tuesday, May 20 - 1:00 pm ET-3:00 pm ET.

 

[LaxSabre]

Memorial Cup Result - Monday, May 19 - Game #4 - Guelph Storm (OHL-Champions) 6 Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3.

Storm Beat Foreurs Clinching Berth In Final - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Monday, May 19.

A three goal outburst in the first six minutes set the tone for the Guelph Storm as they beat the Val-d'Or Foreurs 6-3 in Game #4 of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup at Budweiser Gardens, in London, Ontario. With the victory, the OHL Champion Storm (2-0) have guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s Championship Final becoming the eighth team in the past 10 years to start a MasterCard Memorial Cup with two straight wins.

Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Kerby Rychel opened the scoring for the Storm with his third goal of the tournament just 59 seconds into the contest with an easy tap in after receiving a nice pass from linemate Zack Mitchell. Mitchell, a Minnesota Wild prospect, would join the scoring parade three minutes later as his wrist shot beat Foreurs goaltender Antoine Bibeau, putting the Storm up by two. Jason Dickinson would add one more for the Storm giving them a 3-0 lead to finish the first period. The offensive outburst continued for the Storm into the second period as Pius Suter, Robby Fabbri, and Detroit Red Wings prospect, Tyler Bertuzzi, would also score. Randy Gazzola, Timotej Sille, and Anthony Beauregard would score for the Foreurs in the loss.

The Foreurs will be back in action on Tuesday night at the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup as they take on the WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00 pm ET on Sportsnet and TVA Sports with the winner securing a berth in Friday's Semi-Final. The Storm will wrap up round-robin play on Wednesday against the host London Knights. This year marks the first time the Storm will compete in the MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship Final since 1998 where they lost to the Portland Winterhawks 4-3 in overtime.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/storm-beat-foreurs-clinching-berth-in-final/162697

Game #4 Summary - Storm 6 Foreurs 3 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66881
Game #4 Scoresheet - Storm 6 Foreurs 3 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66881
Game #4 Highlights - Storm 6 Foreurs 3 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/e697de649be033adc9684176ef9e06d7

 

[LaxSabre]

Guelph Storm On Their Way To The Finals - Brendan Zwambag - GuelphStorm.com - Monday, May 19.

Three goals in five minutes powered the Guelph Storm to their second win of the Mastercard Memorial Cup - a 6-3 win over the Val-d’Or Foreurs. With the win, they punched their ticket to the Championship Game on Sunday - their first one since 1998. Guelph plays the London Knights on Wednesday night in their final round robin game.

For the second straight game, Rychel opened the scoring - this time in the first minute of the period rather than the last. Mitchell won a race to a loose puck and centered to Robby Fabbri, who dished off quickly to Rychel at the side of the net. Fifty-nine seconds in and Guelph had the lead. Mitchell picked up his second point of the game at the four-minute mark. The overage winger wired a wrist shot blocker side from the right faceoff dot. Matt Finn and Nick Ebert assisted on the goal. Then a minute and 50 seconds later Dickinson struck. The Dallas Stars prospect circled the Val-d’Or zone and cut into the center, shoveling a backhander towards the goal that bounced off a defenders skate. Scott Kosmachuk and Brock McGinn picked up assists. Val-d’Or Coach Mario Durocher elected to use his timeout early in the second and it helped his team to stem the flow of goals from Guelph.

It took Guelph more than 20 minutes to find the back of the net again. Pius Suter scored the game winner at 8:13 when he backhanded a rebound in from the side of the Val-d’Or goal. Kosmachuk took the original shot and McGinn also picked up his second assist. The Foreurs responded with two quick goals midway through the period. Randy Gazzola fired a wrist shot top corner on the powerplay and Timotej Sille deked Justin Nichols from in tight to cut the lead in half. Guelph answered twice in the final four minutes of the second to carry a 6-2 lead into the third. Fabbri collected a loose puck in front following a broken passing play from Mitchell and Rychel at 16:04. Tyler Bertuzzi converted on his second whack after Antione Bibeau stopped Finn with seven seconds to go. Kosmachuk also assisted.

Anthony Beauregard scored the only thirds period goal on a deke in close to Nichols in the final minute of a five-minute major penalty to Guelph. Nichols stopped 30 shots, while Bibeau and Keven Bouchard each saw action for Val-d’Or. Bouchard kicked aside all 13 shots he faced in relief of Bibeau in the final frame. After shutting out the London Knights in the tournament opener, Bibeau allowed six goals on 36 shots. The win guarantees an appearance in the Championship game for Guelph - the first time since 1998. Guelph plays London on Wednesday night in the final round robin game.

http://guelphstorm.com/article/guelph-storms-their-way-to-finals

 

[LaxSabre]

Storm Secure Spot In Final With Win Over Foreurs - The Canadian Press Sportsnet.ca - Monday, May 19.

London, Ontario - Zach Mitchell is moving closer to hockey’s promised land after recently signing a contract with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. But before he heads to the pro ranks, the Guelph Storm right-winger can claim major junior hockey’s biggest prize. The Storm will play in Sunday’s championship game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Guelph secured the berth with a 6-3 win over the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Monday.

For Mitchell and fellow overage players Steve Trojanovic and Ryan Horvat, it is the chance to write a storybook ending to their junior careers. "Playing for the Memorial Cup on Sunday, it’s a great way to end my career," the 21-year-old from Caledon, Ont., said. "It’s going to be a little emotional, but I’m just going to try and go out there and play hard."

The Storm are a win away from the franchise’s first Memorial Cup in its 23-year history. This is their fifth appearance in the Canadian Hockey League’s championship tournament. The Guelph Platers won a Cup in 1986 before relocating to Owen Sound.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/storm-secure-spot-in-final-with-win-over-foreurs/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Show Why They Are The Team To Beat - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Monday, May 19.

London, Ontario - The Guelph Storm earned the bye to Sunday’s final with a decisive 6-3 win over the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Monday. The Storm shot out of the gate with three quick goals in the game’s first six minutes and coasted to their second win in the MasterCard Memorial Cup round robin. Their last game will come against the winless host London Knights on Wednesday.

“It’s a great feeling,” Storm forward Robby Fabbri said of being in the final. “That’s what we worked for all year and we got a big shot at this. We just get to prepare all week for the big game.”

The Foreurs will get less than 24 hours to prepare for the Western Hockey League champion Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday. Both teams are 1-1 and the implications are huge. The winner guarantees a bye to the semifinal, and the loser would play the Knights in the tiebreaker on Thursday if the Knights beat the Storm on Wednesday.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/storm-show-why-theyre-the-team-to-beat/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game #5 - Tuesday, May 20 - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) vs Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) - 7:00 pm ET -
LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific and NHL Network-United States.

 

[LaxSabre]

Memorial Cup Result - Tuesday, May 20 - Game #5 - Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3 Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 2 (2 OT).

Foreurs Outlast Oil Kings in 2 OT Win - Clinch Semifinal Spot - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Tuesday, May 20.

The Val-d'Or Foreurs (2-1) have guaranteed themselves a spot in Friday’s 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup Semi-Final with a 4-3 double overtime win against the Edmonton Oil Kings (1-2) at the Budweiser Gardens, in London, Ontario. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Antoine Bibeau put together another outstanding performance between the pipes with 47 saves, and Anthony Richard scored the game-winner after 81:15 of hockey ending the sixth longest game in MasterCard Memorial Cup history.

Early on in the game the momentum was on the Oil Kings’ side, as forward Reid Petryk opened the scoring at the 6:22 mark of the first period finishing a nice pass from Curtis Lazar to put the Oil Kings up 1-0. Lazar would notch his second point of the night less than three minutes later with an easy tap in on the power play to extend his club’s leads to two. Val-d’Or would cut into the lead late in the first period as New York Rangers draft pick, Ryan Graves would fire a wrist shot past Tristan Jarry to make it 2-1.

At 9:38 of the second, Val-d’OR forward Pierre-Maxime Poudrier would take advantage of a broken stick and a lucky bounce to send him in on the breakaway, shorthanded, beating Jarry to tie the game at two. Bibeau's efforts kept the Foreurs in the game as long as possible, being outshot 29-14 after two periods, but 5:46 into the third period Henrik Samuelsson, a Phoenix Coyotes prospect, would finally beat Bibeau to put the Oil King ahead 3-2. Foreurs' captain Samuel Henley, on only his clubs second shot of the third period, would tie the game for Val-d'Or at 15:39 of the third and send the game to overtime.

For the Oil Kings, they now await their fate pending the outcome of Wednesday's final round-robin contest between the London Knights and the Guelph Storm. A Knights' win forces a Tiebreaker game against the Oil Kings on Thursday, whereas a Storm win secures the WHL champions a place in the Semi-Final in a rematch against the Foreurs on Friday.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/foreurs-outlast-oil-kings-in-2ot-win/162736

Game #5 Summary - Foreurs 3 Oil Kings 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66882
Game #5 Scoresheet - Foreurs 3 Oil Kings 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66882

Game #5 Highlights - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/b3ff5fc3fcf6c59950b4d58ce7f94f07

Tweets - Kris Baker - @SabresProspects -
WOW - Anthony Mantha (DET) uses his big body to create a turnover for the goal. Val-d'Or/Edmonton tied 3-3 w/ 4:04 left in the 3rd.
Great game ends as Anthony Richard ('15) uses his wheels and goes 5hole on Jarry. Val-d'Or defeats Edmonton 4-3 in 2OT.
Zadorov and Austin back in action tonight as London takes on Guelph. Knights need a win to force a Thursday tiebreaker vs Edmonton.

 

[LaxSabre]

Championship Final Set For 4:00 pm ET On Sportsnet - MemorialCup.ca - Tuesday, May 20.

Sportsnet Brings Fans Exclusive Broadcast Coverage of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup Final - May 25.

Toronto, Ontario - The Canadian Hockey League is set to crown a new champion, with Sportsnet bringing fans exclusive action of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup Final - Sunday, May 25 - 4:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT - LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific.

Commentators - (Play By Play) RJ Broadhead - (Analyst) Sam Cosentino - (Host) - Rob Faulds.
Studio - Pre-Game/Intermissions/Post-Game - (Host) Jeff Marek - (Analysts) Nick Kypreos - John Shannon - Damien Cox.

The OHL champion Guelph Storm have already secured a berth in the final following big wins over WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings (1-1) and the QMJHL champion Val-d’Or Foreurs (1-1). The Storm will look to continue their momentum when they take on their fellow OHL foes and the host team London Knights (0-2) on Wednesday.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/championship-final-set-for-4pm-on-sportsnet/162716

LaxSabre - Current NHL Network-United States TV Schedule - late afternoon/evening - Sunday, May 25.
5:00 pm ET-7:00 pm ET - Replay - Memorial Cup Semifinal Game.
7:00 pm ET-8:00 pm ET - LIVE - NHL Tonight - Conference Final Pre-Game Show.
8:00 pm ET-11:00 pm ET - Tape Delay - Memorial Cup Championship Game.

No word if NHL Network-United States is planning on televising the championship game LIVE since the game will now taking place in the afternoon - 4:00 pm ET. (The replay of the semifinal game will be then televised as a lead-in - 2:00 pm ET-4:00 pm ET.) Or will they stick with above schedule. They then don't have to worry about the championship game going into overtime as their NHL Tonight program won't be interrupted.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHL Announces Fine At MasterCard Memorial Cup - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Tuesday, May 20.

London, Ontario - The Canadian Hockey League announced today that the London Knights Hockey Club has been fined $1,000.00 for inappropriate public comments made regarding the officiating following their game against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

 

[LaxSabre]

Oil Kings Lose 2 OT Heartbreaker - Marc Ciampa - OilKings.ca - Tuesday, May 20.

London, Ontario - The Edmonton Oil Kings outplayed and outshot the Val d'Or Foreurs but it was the QMJHL squad who came away with the lengthy double overtime victory Tuesday night, 4-3 in the final round robin game for both teams. Early in the second OT frame, a pass hopped over Griffin Reinhart's stick in the offensive zone and Val d'Or's Anthony Richard raced to the puck, all alone on a breakaway. He shot five hole on Oil Kings netminder Tristan Jarry for the winning goal.

"Right now, we know our fate. The kids are tired. Both teams battled hard," said Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal. "Both goaltenders played pretty well, I thought, but at the end of the day I thought we deserved the better fate."

"Give them credit, they stuck to it. They're an opportunistic team," said Oil Kings captain Griffin Reinhart after the game. "We gave them some opportunities at times and they took advantage of it."

Edmonton now awaits the result of Wednesday night's game between London and Guelph. If London wins, the Knights will play the Oil Kings on Thursday night in the tiebreaker game. If Guelph wins, Edmonton goes straight to the semifinals where they will have a rematch against Val d'Or on Friday night.

"It's not good to say, but we're almost comfortable in this position. We never want to be here but we always respond well," said Reinhart. "Whether we play Thursday or Friday, we're going to come out strong in our next game. Every game is a Game #7 now."

http://www.oilkings.ca/article/oil-kings-lose-2ot-heartbreaker

 

[LaxSabre]

Foreurs Win In Double Overtime To Reach Semifinals - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Tuesday, May 20.

London, Ontario - The Val-d’Or Foreurs made it to the Memorial Cup semifinal thanks to their workhorse goaltender and their ability to hang around like a bad cold. The Foreurs were outshot 50-33 by the Edmonton Oil Kings and trailed twice in regulation, yet pulled out a 4-3 win in double overtime Tuesday. Centre Anthony Richard ended the marathon at Budweiser Gardens by scoring on a breakaway at 1:15 in the second overtime. It was the second time in this tournament the opposition put 50 shots on goaltender Antoine Bibeau and Val-d’Or emerged with a one-goal victory.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions concluded their preliminary round 2-1. They’ll play in Friday’s semifinal with the victor advancing to Sunday’s championship game against the Ontario Hockey League champions the Guelph Storm. The host London Knights and Storm conclude the preliminary round Wednesday in a clash of OHL rivals. Guelph is already in Sunday’s final at 2-0. The winless Knights need a victory to avoid elimination and force a tiebreaker game against the Oil Kings at 1-2.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/foreurs-win-in-double-ot-to-reach-semifinal/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Kings Done In By Missed Chances - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Tuesday, May 20.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/missed-chances-come-back-to-haunt-oil-kings/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights Sure They Can Upset Storm To Stay Alive - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Tuesday, May 20 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/knights-sure-they-can-upset-storm-to-stay-alive/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London Knights Face Tough Battle Against Guelph Storm - Ryan Pyette - LFPress.com - Tuesday, May 20 -
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/20/l...h-battle-against-guelph-storm-in-memorial-cup

Game #6 - Wednesday, May 21 - London Knights (OHL-Host) vs Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) - 7:00 pm ET.
Game will televised LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific.
Tape Delay on NHL Network-United States - Thursday, May 22 - 1:00 pm ET-3:00 pm ET.
Audio - You can listen "LIVE" to the London Knights radio broadcast at this link - http://www.londonknights.com/page/listen-live

 

[LaxSabre]

Memorial Cup Result - Wednesday, May 21 - Game #6 - Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) 7 London Knights (OHL-Host) 2.

Storm Eliminate Host Knights - MemorialCup.ca - Wednesday, May 21.

The Guelph Storm eliminated the host London Knights with a 7-2 win on Wednesday night in the final game of round-robin competition at the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup. With the victory, the OHL Champion Storm are a perfect 3-0 in tournament play and on a roll heading into the Championship Final set for Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm ET.

Guelph would strike first with a goal 5:56 into the first period as Brock McGinn would set up Scott Kosmachuk, who was left alone in the slot to put the Storm up 1-0. Then at the 12:44 mark of the first, Kosmachuk would get his second of the night as he would pick up the loose puck and put it between the legs of Knights goaltender Anthony Stolarz for a two goal lead. London would respond and pull within one at 17:55 of the first period as Brett Welychka pinched in from the blue line, on the power play, to notch his first of the tournament.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Tyler Bertuzzi's hot hand continued in the second period when he bounced the puck off the end boards and off of Stolarz, restoring Guelph’s two goal lead. That goal would mark the end of Stolarz’s night, being replaced by Jake Patterson.

The Knights battled, capitalizing off a neutral zone turnover, with Josh Anderson jumping on a rebound in tight to pull London back within one. From there Guelph’s high octane offence would take over for good, as Bertuzzi notched his second of the game and tournament leading fifth goal, putting the Storm up 4-2 after 40 minutes. The Storm scored three unanswered goals in the third period including Kosmachuk's hat-trick tally helping him earn first star honours. Justin Nichols made 45 saves in the win.

The loss for the Knights signals another disappointing outcome at the MasterCard Memorial Cup making their third straight appearance in the tournament following a Semi-Final loss in 2013, and a Championship Final loss in overtime in 2012. The Storm will face the winner of Friday's Semi-Final between the WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings and the QMJHL champion Val-d'Or Foreurs. The Foreurs beat the Oil Kings earlier in the week with a 4-3 double overtime win. The semi-final can be seen on Sportsnet LIVE at 7:00 pm ET.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/storm-eliminate-host-knights/162774

Game #6 Summary - Storm 7 Knights 2 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66883
Game #6 Scoresheet - Storm 7 Knights 2 - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66883
Game #6 Highlights - Storm 7 Knights 2 - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/d082ac205fab5e2075b90d4381337590

 

[LaxSabre]

Great Scott! - Storm Eliminate Knights From Memorial Cup - Eric Balnar - GuelphStorm.com - Wednesday, May 21.

The Guelph Storm eliminated the London Knights for the second time this season in the final round robin game of the Mastercard Memorial Cup. Scott Kosmachuk had a hat trick, Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice and the Storm finished the first stage of the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record after a 6-2 victory over the host London Knights.

It's deja-vu all over again for the London, who were elminated by Guelph in the second round of the OHL Playoffs in early April. The hostshad no answer for the offensively overpowering Storm. They finish their tournament without a win, bowing out with a disapointing 0-3 effort in front of the hoem fans.

It didn’t take long for the Storm to inflict their wrath on the Knights. Just six minutes into the game, Brock McGinn threaded a nifty pass through traffic and on to the tape of Kosmachuk’s stick. Seconds later it was in the back of the net. Kosmachuk struck gold again later in the first to push Guelph's lead to two.

But the first period was not as smooth as the scoreline may suggest. Guelph faced early adversity when top-line winger Zach Mitchell received a game misconduct and a major penalty after a knee-on-knee hit with Knights forward Dakota Mermis. The Storm fought through the ensuing five minute penalty, limiting London’s chances, and ultimitely killed off the major. A late-period Brett Welychka strike appeared to breathe life in London's game but Guelph used solid goaltending from Justin Nichols to keep it 2-1 after one. In total, Nichols made 45 saves to claim his 54th win of the season.

http://www.guelphstorm.com/article/great-scott/162773
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights Memorial Cup Dreams Come To The End - LondonKnights.com - Wednesday, May 21.

This wasn’t the way it was supposed to end. When the 2013-14 season began, the London Knights were poised to hit a height they had come so close to twice in the two years before. The bar was set at one expectation: Memorial Cup champions.

When the Knights played host to the MasterCard Memorial Cup in 2005, they lived a dream season with a fairy tale ending. The hope that the dream could be repeated faded on Wednesday night at Budweiser Gardens as the Guelph Storm ended London’s year with a 7-2 win over the Knights. Scott Kosmachuk scored three times and Tyler Bertuzzi added two others for the Storm, who improved to 3-0 and will now await the winner of Fridays Semifinal between Edmonton and Val-d’Or.

After the Storm jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Brett Welychka took a feed 12 seconds into a power play to make it 2-1. The Knights would create a couple of chances to tie the game after that, but the period ended with London down by one. The Knights would come close twice early in the second, but a Tyler Bertuzzi missed net went off the end boards, off Anthony Stolarz and into the net for a 3-1 Guelph lead. London closed the gap to a goal again, as Josh Anderson whapped home a backhand on a rebound. That was as close as the Knights would get as Marc Stevens and Jason Dickinson finished off the scoring for the Guelph Storm making the final 7-2.

 

[LaxSabre]

London Knights Eliminated From Memorial Cup After 7-2 loss to Guelph Storm - Ryan Pyette - LFPress.com - Wednesday, May 21.

Chris Tierney has four years worth of wonderful London hockey moments. None of them will be related to this last week.

“This will always be a bad memory,” the Knights captain said after the Memorial Cup hosts checked out of the tournament with an 0-3 record and a painful 7-2 loss to unbeaten rival Guelph before 8,863 Wednesday night at Budweiser Gardens. “None of the the Memorial Cups were really successful. Yeah, we won two OHL championships but we didn't really accomplish our goal.”

Every kid who plays major junior hockey dreams of being on this big stage once. But for three teams every year, this event ends in bitterness. For the Knights, it has happened over and over again.

"Just didn't get it done, but we wanted to get it done,” London head coach Dale Hunter said of a high-scoring offence that managed a meagre four goals in three games. “There's a lot of battle in them. It's one of those things that you get beat by a team that's very good. “I've been on both sides of it in my career.”

Looking back, they will rue their rusty-stick 1-0 loss to Val d'Or in their opener. It was the first time in four tries they didn't win their first Cup game. “I thought if we were to win a game, we'd get the ball rolling and get the town going,” graduating defenceman Alex Basso said. “Sometimes, it doesn't happen. I guess it wasn't our week. I don't have any regrets losing three games.”

But there were some lessons learned. “You have to be a team every second, play like a team and help each other,” Star Defenceman Nikita Zadorov said. “First of all, you have to believe in yourself and trust yourself.”

http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/21/l...m-memorial-cup-after-6-2-loss-to-guelph-storm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodnight, Knights - Ryan Pyette - LFPress.com - Wednesday, May 21 -
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/21/l...team-to-ever-go-without-a-win-at-memorial-cup

Hunters Have No Tolerance In Losing - Ryan Pyette - LFPress.com - Wednesday, May 21 -
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/05/22/hunters-have-no-tolerance-in-losing

 

[LaxSabre]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights Bounced From Mastercard Memorial Cup - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Wednesday, May 21 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/knights-eliminated-from-mastercard-memorial-cup/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knights Three Year Run Ends Without Memorial Cup - Patrick King - Sportsnet.ca - Wednesday, May 21 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/knights-3-year-run-ends-without-a-memorial-cup/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreurs, Oil Kings Ready For Rematch In London - The Canadian Press - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 23 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/foreurs-oil-kings-ready-for-rematch-in-london/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Val-d'Or's Mantha - A Sleeping Giant Waiting To Be Awaken - Gare Joyce - Sportsnet.ca - Friday, May 23 -
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/val-dors-mantha-due-for-a-breakout-game/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[LaxSabre]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game #7 - Friday, May 23 - Semifinal - Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) vs Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) - 7:00 pm ET.
TV - LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific - NHL Network-United States.
The winner will face the Guelph Storm (OHL Champions) in the Memorial Cup Championship Game on Sunday, May 25 - 4:00 pm ET.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Kings, Foreurs Gearing Up For Semi-Final - Aaron Bell - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Thursday, May 22.

As far as rivalries go, this one is pretty much non-existent. But that could change in a hurry. The Edmonton Oil Kings and Val-d'Or Foreurs have exactly one head-to-head matchup in their entire history - a 4-3 come-from-behind win by Val-d'Or on Tuesday. But despite that lack of history, neither team expects it will take long for things to heat up when they meet up in the semi-final game at the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup on Friday - 7:00 pm ET - LIVE on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific and TVA Sports.

"It's what you play for," Oil Kings forward Mitchell Moroz said. "We would have taken this coming in. We had some bad breaks in the round robin – we know we deserve to be where we are and just to have a chance is awesome but we want to make the most of it."

On Tuesday, the Oil Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the midway point of the opening period and had a chance to add to that with a penalty shot awarded to Edgars Kulda moments later. But Foreurs netminder Antoine Bibeau turned that chance aside and then stood on his head through the rest of the game – including 21:15 of overtime to back the QMJHL champs to a dramatic win.

Anthony Richard provided the offensive heroics in overtime but his teammates all pointed to Bibeau as the saviour – as he's been throughout their run to the QMJHL championship. "Antoine has been incredible throughout the playoffs and even during the year," Foreurs forward Louick Marcotte said. "Since the playoffs have started he's just been a wall in the net. He's been a big part of our success."

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/oil-kings-foreurs-gearing-up-for-semi-final/162804
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[LaxSabre]

Memorial Cup Result - Friday, May 23 - Game #7 - Semifinal -
Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champions) 4 - Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL Champions) 3 (3 OT).

Triple OT Thriller Sends Oil Kings To Final - MastercardMemorialCup.ca - Friday, May 23.

London, Ontario - The Edmonton Oil Kings have earned a spot in Sunday's Championship Final defeating the Val-d’Or Foreurs 4-3 in triple overtime in what is now the longest game ever played in the MasterCard Memorial Cup history. Friday's Semi-Final contest was a rematch of a double overtime thriller that saw Val-d’Or defeat Edmonton 4-3 in round-robin action on Tuesday night.

Ottawa Senators prospect Curtis Lazar tipped in the game winning goal 2:42 into the third overtime period ending 102 minutes and 42 seconds of hockey. The dramatics in this contest began even before the overtime period when Guillaume Gelinas scored on a point-shot with just 36 seconds to play in regulation to tie the score for Val-d'Or.

Phil Pietroniro opened the scoring for Val-d’Or with a wrist shot that beat goaltender Tristan Jarry, less than two minutes into the first period. The Oil Kings evened things up with a goal from Mads Eller, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens forward, Lars. He tapped in the puck past Antoine Bibeau which originally came from a Griffin Reinhart point shot attempt.

Edmonton Oilers Prospect Mitch Moroz scored a power play goal that made it 2-1 for the Oil Kings. Latvian born Edgars Kulda then scored a beautiful dangling goal to give the Oil Kings a 2-goal lead. Randy Gazzola, who had 74 points in the regular season, cut the deficit to one with just over two minutes remaining in the 2nd period. Bibeau made 50 saves despite the loss, while Jarry stopped 46 shots including 20 in extra time.

The Oil Kings will now get some rest after the marathon Semifinal matchup and prepare for the Guelph Storm in the Championship Final, which will be played Sunday at 4 pm ET at Budweiser Gardens. Both clubs are playing for their first MasterCard Memorial Cup title with the Oil Kings making their first ever finals appearance in modern history, while the Storm return to the finals for the first time since falling 4-3 in overtime against the Portland Winter Hawks in 1998.

http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/triple-ot-thriller-sends-oil-kings-to-final/162820

Game Summary - Semifinal - Oil Kings 4 Foreurs 3 (3 OT) - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/show/game/66885
Gamesheet - Semifinal - Oil Kings 4 Foreurs 3 (3 OT) - http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/schedule/scoresheet/game/66885
Highlights - Semifinal - Oil Kings 4 Foreurs 3 (3 OT) - http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/video/index/id/eea81ae9b043823368eb4a2653dc9862

 

[LaxSabre]

Oil Kings Advance To Memorial Cup Final - Marc Ciampa - OilKings.ca - Friday, May 23.

London, Ontario - For the second straight game, the Val d'Or Foreurs scored a late third-period goal to tie the game and for a second-straight game, the two teams went to multiple overtimes but this time it was the Edmonton Oil Kings who came out on top on a goal by Curtis Lazar 2:42 into the third overtime. The game was the longest in Memorial Cup history and first to ever go into triple overtime. Additionally, it was the longest game in Oil Kings history.

Lazar redirected a point shot just inside the right post past Bibeau for the victory. Petryk made a great play there. It's probably going to go unnoticed but he picked up the puck in traffic and hit Corbett. (Corbett) threw it on net, that's never a bad play in overtime. We had eye contact. He found my stick on the ice and I was able to redirect it," said Lazar at the podium in a post-game press conference after the biggest goal of his career. "My first thought was, 'Go to bed'," Lazar chuckled. "It's so late right now. To get that one there is huge for our team."

Edmonton now advances to Sunday's Memorial Cup Final to play against the Guelph Storm (Sportsnet West, TSN Radio 1260 AM - 2:00 pm MT).

"It was a crazy night," said Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal. "We got up 3-1 and they battled back to make it 3-2. They hung in for the third period and got one off the faceoff on us to tie it up. "The overtime periods were outstanding. The goal we scored on to win the game was something that we worked on in practice, to change the direction of the pucks on (Antoine) Bibeau because he's been so good."

Laxdal looked ahead to tomorrow and Sunday's final. "It'll be a day of rest tomorrow. The big thing for us, our year has been incredible. The first team in the history of the WHL to win a Game 7 on the road. Longest game in the history of the Memorial Cup. The kids are writing their own story so hopefully we can finish the chapter here. Finish the book on Sunday."

http://www.oilkings.ca/article/oil-kings-advance-to-memorial-cup-final

Memorial Cup Final Preparations - Marc Ciampa - OilKings.ca - Saturday, May 24 - http://www.oilkings.ca/article/memorial-cup-final-preparations