Hump day at the tourney ended up being a day off for the blog, so let’s go back and do a little recapping.
Halifax Mooseheads 9 London Knights 2
- The Mooseheads looked like every bit like the 58 win team you saw during the regular season.
- They spent one day off, participating in a mini-putt competition, and then of course back to work with a hard pre-game skate.
- Halifax is always at its best when the support group chips in as Darcy Ashley, Brent Andrews and Luca Ciampini did.
- It was a breakout night for Jonathan Drouin. Never mind the three-point effort, his passes were on point and crisp with his vision and patience back to where they were during the playoffs.
- Interesting take from a rival QMJHL coach in regards to Zachary Fucale: “He’ll make one more save than the other guy.” And that’s why he’s a winner.
- London may be eliminated before its goaltending issue gets resolved. I wonder if Kevin Baillie is having a laugh to himself about it? Baillie lost in the final of the RBC Cup while tending the twine for the Summerside Western Capitals.
- Remember, the Knights won the OHL Championship, coming back from down 3 games to 1 to beat the Barrie Colts.
- London’s top players need to be better. One telling stat, Max Domi, Ryan Rupert, Seth Grifith and Tommy Hughes are a combined minus-26.
Portland Winterhawks 4 Saskatoon Blades 2
- It was a breakout night for Seth Jones. He asserted himself and showed that he’s not just an offensive threat.
- I didn’t like the no-call on the Dalton Thrower hit on Taylor Leier. Not sure how that’s not at least two minutes. I did not think the head was the target, but it definitely was the first point of contact.
- Travis Green’s poise behind the bench has had big impact on his club. Green had more than one reason to be upset with the officiating.
- Mike Johnston’s presence has been felt despite not being allowed to be fully engaged with his hockey club. At least two parents of ‘Hawks players praised him for the job he’s done.
- The Winterhawks really started to take over about midway through the second period.
- When going to CCM’s Taylor Made technology stick, Ty Rattie added almost an inch to the length, giving him more whip.
- Brendan Leipsic signed his rookie deal with Nashville on the day of his 19th birthday. I joked with him that he would now have enough funds to go get a haircut.
- Mac Carruth did a great job of maintaining his composure in a game in which he was challenged most. The Blades were all over him and likely deserved more from the officials.
- Toughest game to coach is the one where a berth in the Championship game is your carrot.
- Disappointed with the building not being full for last night’s game. Attendance at 9,239 is unacceptable when your team has a chance of going straight to the final.
- Watching Dominique Ducharme and assistant coach Jim Midgely from across the rink during the TV timeouts of the Saskatoon game was quite interesting. Ducharme said watching his fate in another team’s hands was harder than coaching.
Other Stuff
- If nothing else, I’m quite certain Trey Lewis has earned an invite to an NHL camp this fall.
- Kamloops Blazers new head coach Dave Hunchak has been working on local radio and for Shaw TV here at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. He has a new appreciation for the job we do and he’s enjoying it. We’ll have to keep that in mind for the next Blazers FNH game.
- Another former bench boss, Curtis Hunt (Regina Pats) has been working alongside Rod Pederson (www.rodpedersen.com).
- For more on the Mastercard Memorial Cup, be sure to check out the latest from Patrick King.
- The tournament continues. Here’s where you can find broadcast times.
- For all official information, it’s Mastercard Memorial Cup.