OT: 2014 MJHL/MMJHL Playoffs

[Hollywood3]

May 1: Blues knocked out, Kings take 1st

[Scores] : [MJHL Site]

SPRUCE GROVE SAINTS 5
WINNIPEG BLUES 3

:. [Summary] : [MJHL Story]

This was a hard-fought and very even game. With the score tied 3-3 and about 8 minutes left the Blues' 3rd period rally got a boost when they went on the PP. However, ashort-handed goal gave the Saints a lead, which was later secured with an empty-netter. So instead of being of to the 1-2 playoff game for the title, the Blues were out with yet another nail-biting loss.

DAUPHIN KINGS 5
COQUITLAM EXPRESS 3

:. [Summary]
:. [Daily Recap] : [MJHL Story]

The Perogy Boys have claimed 1st place in the round-robin with a convincing win over the champions of British California. In a tournament featuring a host of one-goal games, the Kings amassed a 4-0 lead in the 2nd period. Coquitlam scored in the last minute of the 2nd and again in the 1st minute of the 3rd to make a game of it. Dauphin secured victory with an empty-netter to make it 5-2 before Coquitlam notched a consolation goal in the dying seconds of the game.

Dauphin's 3-1 record in the round-robin gives them 1st place. The Yorkton Derrieres won the tie-breaker and get 2nd place. Coquitlam and Spruce Grove play in the 3-4 playoff.

The playoff format is quite like the Brier, without an "A-B" final. The winner of the 1-2 game gets the title and one berth in the RBC Cup for the national championship. The loser of that game then plays the winner of the 3-4 game for the 2nd berth in the RBC Cup.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 3: Derrieres take WCC

[Scores] : [MJHL Site]

COQUITLAM EXPRESS 3
SPRUCE GROVE SAINTS 5

:. [Summary]

This was the 3-4 playoff, meaning that although neither team could win the tournament, they could still get the 2nd berth available for the nationals. These teams entered as the favourites. The BC league is touted as the best Junior A league because the bigger towns have the resources to heavily recruit those headed to the NCAA. The Alberta league is somewhat similar, and the Groovey Ones were the dominant team this year. Yet, both sides went 2-2 in the round-robin.

Spruce Grove was on the ascent as the tournament wore on, and Coquitlam on the descent. However, Coquitlam grabbed themselves a 2-0 1st period lead and appeared on their way. However, 5 straight goals by Spruce Grove put this one away.

YORKTON TERRIERS 5
DAUPHIN KINGS 4

:. [Summary]
:. [Daily Recap] : [MJHL Story]

So close was this competition that 1st place was awarded to a team with a 3-2 record. The Derrieres were flirting with last place just days ago, yet here they are, off to the RBC with the WCC in their trophy case.

This game was tied 2-2 mid-way through the 3rd period. Then all heck broke loose with a five goal outburst. There was not a real explosion of shots on goal, just that everything seemed to find the twine.

Dauphin and Spruce Grove (both sides also 3-2) now face off for 2nd place and the final berth in the RBC Cup.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 4: Kings off to RBC Cup

[Scores] : [MJHL Site]

SPRUCE GROVE SAINTS 3
DAUPHIN KINGS 4

:. [Summary]
:. [Daily Recap] : [MJHL Story]

The Saints appeared to be on their way to victory, with a 3-1 3rd period lead. However, Dauphin scored a shorthanded goal to start a rally which saw them score 3 goals on only 5 shots. Quite a collapse for the Saints.

So, Dauphin gets a berth in the nationals. This tournament is quite ironic. Before last year the "Pacific Zone" included BC and Alberta and the "Western Zone" included Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The provincial winners played a best-of-7 and each zone sent a team to the nationals. BC and Alberta thought their leagues were short-changed in this, and wanted the present format adopted. So in 2 years we now have one berth in the nationals for each of the 4 provinces.

The teams in the nationals will include the hosts (Vernon Vipers), the Central Zone winners (Toronto Lakeshore Patriots), and the Eastern Zone winners (Carleton Place Canadians). Vernon has long been a Junior A power. Toronto won the OJHL and beat out host Wellington, SIJHL winner Fort Frances, and NOJHL winner Kirkland Lake to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup. Carleton won the CCHL and won the Fred Page Cup over host St. Jerome Panthers, the Truro Bearcats of the MHL, and the Granby Inouk of the LHJAAAQ.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 10: Kings Win Opener

:. [Tournament Site]
:. [Schedule/Results/Links] : [MJHL Site]

DAUPHIN KINGS 2
TORONTO LAKESHORE PATRIOTS 1

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [MJHL Story]
:. [Dauphin's Road to the RBC] : [Toronto's Road to the RBC]

Dauphin found themselves in trouble in this one. However, they managed to stay within one goal through two periods and then claimed the win with a two-goal 3rd period. The Patriots outshot the Kings 42-29 on the night.

The links are nice. Each game has a boxscore, stats, game story, and a video of the game.

VERNON VIPERS 2
CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 3

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [Vernon's Road to the RBC] : [Carleton's Road to the RBC]

Three goals in the 3rd period allowed Cartoon Place to steal the game from the hosts. Vernon has won 6 national titles, both under their current moniker and under their former "Lakers" handle.

Sunday's games see Yorkton v Toronto Lakeshore and Carleton Place v Dauphin.

 

[puck stoppa]

Nice to see our teams compete with the rest of the nation. I still don't get why the BCHL gets over 100 commitments per year and the MJHL gets 5-10. I really think they need to promote the players in this league better.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Nice to see our teams compete with the rest of the nation. I still don't get why the BCHL gets over 100 commitments per year and the MJHL gets 5-10. I really think they need to promote the players in this league better.

BCHL tends to be a lot more of younger kids. 16-17 year old's going for Jr. A scholarships. MJHL tends to have a lot more 19-20 year olds coming back from being cut from WHL. Part of the reason is that lots of Manitoba kids looking for NCAA scholarships go south to the USHL, BCHL does not have a league close by like USHL.

 

[bigplay41*]

BCHL tends to be a lot more of younger kids. 16-17 year old's going for Jr. A scholarships. MJHL tends to have a lot more 19-20 year olds coming back from being cut from WHL. Part of the reason is that lots of Manitoba kids looking for NCAA scholarships go south to the USHL, BCHL does not have a league close by like USHL.

Yet a lot of americans play in the BCHL

 

[Joe Hallenback]

BCHL tends to be a lot more of younger kids. 16-17 year old's going for Jr. A scholarships. MJHL tends to have a lot more 19-20 year olds coming back from being cut from WHL. Part of the reason is that lots of Manitoba kids looking for NCAA scholarships go south to the USHL, BCHL does not have a league close by like USHL.

Vernon's squad is almost all 19/20 year olds. I just don't think you can get to this tournament with 16/17 year olds.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Yet a lot of americans play in the BCHL

So? We are talking commitments, it's well known in the Pacific Northwest that the best way to NCAA Div 1 commitments is the BCHL. USHL has no sway that far west.

Vernon's squad is almost all 19/20 year olds. I just don't think you can get to this tournament with 16/17 year olds.

Never denied that. We are talking commitments here though, which is completely different from success. Face it, MJHL has way more returnees from WHL (which are pretty much NCAA ineligble) and older players that than AJHL and BCHL. That was the point of the post. I never said that neither BCHL nor AJHL don't use older players or returnees, they obviously do, but that the ratio is much higher in MJHL in particular (to a lesser extent SJHL as well) than BCHL and AJHL which is why they get higher Div 1 scholarships than SJ or MJ. Doesn't say anything about the quality of the leagues, I fully believe that the MJ and SJ in terms are straight talent can compete with AJ and BC leagues. It's just that AJ/BC IN GENERAL tend to be younger leagues with less WHL returnees (which again are NCAA ineligible) which is why they get more Div 1 commits.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

No one is paying attention in BC to what these kids are getting when they come and play there

The NCAA watches the CHL like hawks for any slight violation of there "rules" but turn a blind eye to Junior A in Canada.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

No one is paying attention in BC to what these kids are getting when they come and play there

The NCAA watches the CHL like hawks for any slight violation of there "rules" but turn a blind eye to Junior A in Canada.

Oh no doubt. NCAA rules with regards to eligibility are a farce. They don't actually care about how much players are receiving as "payment" they only care to hurt the CHL. I agree 100% about that.

 

[Moe Mantha]

I repped some hometown pride and wore my Dauphin Kings hat around town for the last 2 weeks. I was actually surprised how many people stopped to talk about the MJHL, and were following the journey to the RBC Cup.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 11: Kings last unbeaten team

YORKTON TERRIERS 1
TORONTO LAKESHORE PATRIOTS 5

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [Yorkton's Road to the RBC]

The Derrieres opened after a bye and suffered the biggest skunk so far. They wobbled at times in the WCC before winning it. It might be tough to repeat the forumla here. They also tend to give up mloads of goals. That's OK but then they'll need more than 23 shots on goal if they need to score 6.

CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 3
DAUPHIN KINGS 4
(in overtime)

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [MJHL Story]

The Kings have now swept their opponents from the east. This was a defensive battle through 2 periods, being tied 1-1. The teams exploded with 2 goals each in the 3rd, so it was off to overtime.

Dauphin has a day off on Monday. The only game will be Vernon v Yorkton. Both of those teams are 0-1, so the loser will be in tough. The format provides for 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 semi-final games. Therefore Dauphin is basically assured of a playoff spot.

Links:
:. [Tournament Site]
:. [Schedule/Results/Links] : [MJHL Site]

 

[Hollywood3]

May 12-13: Kings Wrap Up 1st

YORKTON TERRIERS 4
VERNON VIPERS 6

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

This game was the only one played on Monday, and marked the half-way point of the round-robin. The Derrieres are giving up loads of goals. Dauphin leads at 2-0, Toronto, Carleton, and Virden are all 1-1, and Yorkton trails at 0-2. Virden built a 5-0 lead and then needed an empty-netter to secure victory in the final minute. That would have been quite a comeback.

TORONTO LAKESHORE PATRIOTS 2
CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 4

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

Carleton Place wins the Battle of Ontario. This should assure them a berth in the semi-finals.

VERNON VIPERS 2
DAUPHIN KINGS 5

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [MJHL Story]

The Kings built a 4-0 lead through two periods, with only 14 shots on goal, to cruise to a win over the hosts. The win secures 1st place for the Perogy Boys. Vernon is sitting at 1-2 and in a precarious position. Hosts do not like missing the playoff round.

There is only one game on Wednesday: Carleton Place v Yorkton. A Yorkton loss would eliminate them. The final round-robin games are on Thursday: Dauphin v Yorkton and Toronto Lakeshore v Vernon.

Links:
:. [Tournament Site]
:. [Schedule/Results/Links] : [MJHL Site]

 

[Hollywood3]

May 14: Derrieres Stay Alive

CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 1
YORKTON TERRIERS 3

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

The Derrieres were in the same position as they were in the WCC. Then, they won their last two games and the tie-breaker gave them 2nd place, then one more win gave them the title.

The best sign for the Banjo Boys is that they held Carleton the Doormat to just one goal and 26 shots. Their D has been suspect, both at the WCC and the RBC.

Yorkton is now 1-2 and plays Dauphin Thursday afternoon. [LINK]. Carleton is 2-2 and will likely play in the 2nd v 3rd semi-final. If Yorkton loses to Dauphin they are done. If they win they are in and the loser of the Toronto-Vernon game (both teams 1-2) will hit the road.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 15: Round-Robin Ends

DAUPHIN KINGS 1
YORKTON TERRIERS 2
(in overtime)

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [MJHL Story]

The Kings had 1st place wrapped up before the puck was dropped, whilst the Derrieres needed the win to avoid a wagon ride back to Banjoland. So the Derrieres had all the incentive. Still, the Kings held a 1-0 lead until the 3rd period and in the end it went into overtime. A Dauphin win would have guaranteed Vernon and Toronto Lakeshore playoff berths.

TORONTO LAKESHORE PATRIOTS 2
VERNON VIPERS 3
(in overtime)

:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

This game was for all the marbles. Winner advances, loser out. Through two periods it was 1-1, even though Vernon outshot TL 30-14. Vernon took a lead with 5 minutes left but could not hold on. TL scored in the last minute to force OT. So, Vernon the host scrapes into a playoff berth by the skin of their teeth.

Saturday's semi-finals will be:
Yorkton v Vernon
Carleton Place v Dauphin

 

[Hollywood3]

May 17: Kings Eliminated

YORKTON TERRIERS 6
VERNON VIPERS 3
:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

Vernon never got rolling in this tournament. In the end the vaunted BCHL teams went 4-6 in interprovincial play. This was a 4-3 game until 18 minutes into the 3rd period, at which time the Derrieres scored a couple quick goals. So the Banjo Boys are off to the final after being on the verge of being the first team out in mid-week.

CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 5
DAUPHIN KINGS 3
:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]
:. [MJHL Story]

The Kings were leading and outplaying Carleton Place until very late in the 2nd period. Then for reasons unknown the Kings turned into Pumpkins and their ride was over. Carleton outshot them 16-2 in the 3rd period. Still a nice run for an unfancied team. Even within Manitoba I believe most people have them ranked #5 behind Selkirk, Steinbach, Portage, and the Blues.

The one thing this whole event, combined with the WCC, teaches us is that Junior A is an exceptionally level playing field from coast-to-coast.

The final can be seen on-line and this is likely the most diect link: http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/7702473?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585

 

[puck stoppa]

So? We are talking commitments, it's well known in the Pacific Northwest that the best way to NCAA Div 1 commitments is the BCHL. USHL has no sway that far west.



Never denied that. We are talking commitments here though, which is completely different from success. Face it, MJHL has way more returnees from WHL (which are pretty much NCAA ineligble) and older players that than AJHL and BCHL. That was the point of the post. I never said that neither BCHL nor AJHL don't use older players or returnees, they obviously do, but that the ratio is much higher in MJHL in particular (to a lesser extent SJHL as well) than BCHL and AJHL which is why they get higher Div 1 scholarships than SJ or MJ. Doesn't say anything about the quality of the leagues, I fully believe that the MJ and SJ in terms are straight talent can compete with AJ and BC leagues. It's just that AJ/BC IN GENERAL tend to be younger leagues with less WHL returnees (which again are NCAA ineligible) which is why they get more Div 1 commits.

I get all this but for Coquitlam (who played in West regionals) to have 9 Div 1 schollies and Vernon and Salmon Arm to have 11 schollies and for the entire MJHL to have just 2 in the whole league that is nuts. This tells me that the teams and league are not promoting their players well enough. The gap should not be that big. Not many MB players are going to USHL not 126 of them.
Kings and Blues held their own and if you look at their rosters they do not have many ex WHL'ers. BCHL must be doing something right to promote those kids. You would think a team in Vernon with 11 guys going to Div 1 schools would wreck teams, but not so.

 

[Hollywood3]

I get all this but for Coquitlam (who played in West regionals) to have 9 Div 1 schollies and Vernon and Salmon Arm to have 11 schollies and for the entire MJHL to have just 2 in the whole league that is nuts. This tells me that the teams and league are not promoting their players well enough. The gap should not be that big. Not many MB players are going to USHL not 126 of them.
Kings and Blues held their own and if you look at their rosters they do not have many ex WHL'ers. BCHL must be doing something right to promote those kids. You would think a team in Vernon with 11 guys going to Div 1 schools would wreck teams, but not so.

Although it could also say a lot about scouting. Some universities might be well advised to alter their scouting budgets.

 

[Hollywood3]

May 18: Derrieres Take the Cup!

CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS 3
YORKTON TERRIERS 4
(in overtime)
:. [Boxscore, Story & Video]

Gotta give the Derrieres credit. They looked to be the worst team in the early going at the WCC, stayed alive, then won it with a 3-2 record. The pattern repeated in this RBC, which they have won with a 4-2 record.

Carleton Place had this one going their way, with a 3-1 lead after two periods. But Yorkton fired 17 shots at them in the 3rd, and scored 2 goals 8 seconds apart 17 minutes into the 3rd to force OT. Once in OT the shots were 10-4 as the Derrieres claimed the title.

All in all, a very competitive season in Junior A. The 5 teams in the RBC were all about the same calibre, as were the teams in the WCC. And when one considers that many teams with better regular season records never got out of their provinces, it is not hard to imagine that dozens of teams were quite capable of winning this title.

 

[Mathmew Purrrr Oh]

was a fun game

thanks for all the entertaining updates Hollywood