saultsports CALGARY, Alta. – An all-around solid effort by the Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) saw them skate to an impressive 7-1 victory over the Greater Sudbury Cubs Friday in quarter-final action at the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, in Calgary.
With Cubs’ netminder Karsen Chartier unable to go, it was Noah Beaulne who got the starting nod for Greater Sudbury while Matthew Vahramian served as the back-up.
Beaulne was sharp early making numerous close-range stops.
However, Melfort opened the scoring off a giveaway that allowed Kaleb Binner to convert from between the circles for an unassisted effort at 6:41 of the first period.
Adding another late in the frame, the Mustangs forced a turnover near their own blueline and quickly countered in transition that led to Cole Unger collecting a loose puck and moving to his right where he snapped short-side attempt past Beaulne in the final minute of the session.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title holders carried the majority of play in the opening 20 minutes taking a 24-7 edge in shots into the intermission.
In the second stanza, Greater Sudbury got on the board in the latter stages of their initial man advantage that saw Alexandre Valade send a pass over to Noah Kohan, who lifted it by Melfort’s Kristian Coombs at 5:35.
Getting that back on a power play of their own, Melfort used some nice passing that was completed by Ashton Hutchinson, who promptly roofed a quick feed from down low by Zayden Sadlemeyer.
Another last-minute marker put the Mustangs up 4-1 after two when Hutchinson put a feed into the high slot that Zac Somers snagged and whipped over the glove of Beaulne.
Doing his part to keep it close, the Cubs’ goaltender denied Tristin Ziola on a breakaway moments into the third period.
Helping finish it off after that though, the SJHL champions secured their place in Saturday’s semifinals against the Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) at 9:30 p.m. ET, with a fifth in the match-up midway through the frame.
On the tally, Reilley Kotai wheeled into the Greater Sudbury end where he powered his way past a defender then went to the net and tucked in his chance.
Going to a power play with seven and a half minutes remaining the Cubs chose to also pull Beaulne for another skater.
However, they could not capitalize and Bryson Aikens iced the triumph with an empty netter.
Ripping one top shelf from the right circle, Ashton Paul added to their cushion with another man advantage effort to wrap things up.
Collecting player of the game nods were Kohan and Kotai.
Shots on goal finished up 40-32 in favour of the winners.
Saturday’s first semifinal will see the host Calgary Canucks (AJHL) take on either the Rockland Nationals (CCHL) or Northern Manitoba Blizzard (MJHL) at 6 p.m. ET.
GAME SUMMARY
Photo credit: Erica Perreaux/Hockey Canada Images
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