BRANDON, Man. — The Moncton Wildcats needed a goaltender to steal a game in the MasterCard Memorial Cup, and one almost did.
But with last year’s Québec Major Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player, Nicola Riopel, unable to go due to the flu, it was Shane Owen who nearly lifted the Wildcats from defeat.
The goalie that couldn’t cut it in the Ontario Hockey League nearly beat that league’s best team. Moncton had its back against the wall Tuesday, needing a win over the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires to stay alive.
Although the Wildcats fell 4-3 in overtime and their season is now over, all the talk surrounding the game was about the little goalie that could and nearly willed his team to victory.
"We had a lot of confidence in him and we knew that if we needed him that he would deliver," Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn said. "He played pretty much like that all year for us. He’s got a lot of tools. He’s got a real good mental side."
Owen’s story is one of perseverance and redemption. He spent nearly two and a half seasons with the Erie Otters, but was unable to establish himself as a starter and was thus waived through the league.
Not one of the 19 other OHL teams felt inclined to extend his stay in the league, which afforded Owen the opportunity to ply his trade in the QMJHL. It was in Moncton where Owen was able to accomplish what none of the other OHL teams seemingly thought possible: become a starting goaltender.
When Riopel came back near Christmas, Owen’s role reverted to the team’s backup. But as Flynn said Tuesday, Owen could have carried the reins as the starter.
"When the league MVP lands on your doorstep, you let him in," Flynn explained.
Owen made several big stops in the game and perhaps none bigger than on Dale Mitchell late in the third period in a tied game. With the game-winning goal seemingly on Mitchell’s blade, Owen sprawled across the open net to make the spectacular save which helped propel his team to overtime.
Mitchell buried his head in his hands while on the ice in shock that a goal was taken away.
"We wouldn’t have even been in overtime if it wasn’t for him," defenceman Brandon Gormley said.
"We knew he could do the job," overage forward Randy Cameron added. "Really, really proud of him. He stepped in there and shut the door for us and made the big stops when we needed it and we could take momentum from those saves."
Owen discovered he might start on Monday night. Riopel was segregated from the rest of his teammates at the back end of the rink, behind the home team goal. He had a great look at his future replacement in Moncton, as Riopel’s junior career is now officially over.
Owen’s excitement was obvious to his teammates on the eve of the game.
"He was pretty excited to even hear he was maybe getting the start (Monday night)," Gormley said. "He was pretty excited to get a chance to play against the Ontario league – anyone would be excited to play against their (former) league."
Tuesday’s game was Owen’s second against the Spitfires this season. Owen was beat on eight of 54 shots on Sept. 24, his second start of the season with the Otters.
Owen never thought he would have a chance at redemption following that lopsided loss to the Spitfires.
"I knew some of their players so it was definitely an advantage," said Owen, who agreed it was the biggest start of his career.
"I think he played a great game and we were a little shocked by his performance," Spitfires forward Eric Wellwood said. "He did his part to save the puck. It’s good to see him get the credit where credit is due."
The Wildcats appeared doomed even before Tuesday’s game started. Not only was Riopel inactive, but star forward Nicolas Deschamps remained sidelined for the tournament’s entirety.
Owen had not played since Game 3 of the league championship series against the Saint John Sea Dogs on May 4. It would have been easy to make excuses based on rust, but the Wildcats goaltender proved he was up to the challenge.
Owen may not have played much in this MasterCard Memorial Cup, but he will leave a lasting impression. For a goaltender deemed not quite good enough for one league, he nearly stole the game and provided one of the most interesting storylines.
The Wildcats may not have won and their season is now over, but Owen has plenty of reason to hold his head up high.
