Big Horns beat Trojans for Munro Cup

The Big Horns rode their luck late as they won their first Munro Cup Saturday night in three years, in front of a rowdy Residence Crowd.

Despite leading by two goals with less than two minutes to play, the Big Horns were forced to overtime and ultimately a shootout, where Haiden Goltz scored the winner for a 7 – 6 final over the Trojans.

The win snaps a two year losing streak and saw a wild on-ice celebration in front of the hundreds of Big Horns faithful that made the trek to the Halifax Forum.

The ultimate winner of the night was the IWK, who were presented a check for $16,000 by the Residence Charity Face-Off, an organization that has now raised over well over $100,000 through their annual fundraising initiatives.

The Trojans opened the scoring early with goals from Connor Hirtle and Alex Dawson, giving the visitors in Orange a 2 – 0 lead.

It was the last time the Trojans would lead however, as the Big Horns rallied back with four straight goals, including a highlight real goal from Haiden Goltz to make the score 4 – 2 after two periods.

Jonathan Sisokin clawed a goal back for the Trojans to start the 3rd period, but Max Starkman answered back less than 30 seconds later to restore the two goal lead at 5 – 3.

With David Taylor putting on a clinic in net for the Big Horns, Scott Stewart added a goal to make it 6 – 4 with 10:10 left in the game.

In breathtaking fashion Trojans Captain Allison snapped a shot past Taylor, giving his team a chance with just 1:16 left in the game.

Then with the net empty, Kyle Gardiner sent the game into overtime, tying the game up at 6 – 6.

Seemingly exhausted, both teams failed to make their chances count in overtime and the game was destined for a shootout.

In the shootout, the Trojans were unable to beat goaltender Taylor who stopped shots from JJ Allison, Alex Dawson and Connor Hirtle.

Goltz, who had just returned from serving a 10-minute misconduct, slotted the game winner past Spencer Aldred to give the night a spectacular end.

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Henry is a writer for Sportstream.ca  and Host of the The Sports Show on 88.1 CKDU  every Thursday Morning at 9am. You can follow him on twitter at @HenryWhitfield , where he tweets about sports far too much.

CIS Final 8: Predictions

With Canada’s best University Basketball teams heading over to Ottawa this year to battle it out for National honours, we decided to put together some predictions (Why? Well, why not?).

Mavs Gillis, Henry Whitfield and guest Armaan Ahluwalia from North Pole Hoops threw down their predictions:

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Quarter-final #1: No. 7 Lakehead vs. No. 2 Cape Breton

Armaan: Even though Lakehead has the experience of making nationals for four years in a row they will be without Ryan Thompson due to a lower body injury. I think that even with CIS Defensive POY Greg Carter I think CBU pulls it out. This is the closest game to call in the opening round. CBU by 5

Henry: Jimmy Dorsey under the lights at Scotiabank Place, lots of respect to Lakehead but the Orange Army will put CBU over the top.

Mavs:

Quarter-final #2: No. 6 McGill vs. No. 3 Ottawa 

Armaan: Ottawa is starting to pick up steam and with their near beating of Carleton they can run with anyone in the country, Warren Ward and Johnny B are too much for RESQ champs McGill. Ottawa by 15.

Henry: Tough to look past Ottawa in this one, they should handle McGill and move onto the Semis without too much fuss.

Mavs:

Quarter-final #3:No. 5 Acadia vs. No. 4 UBC

Armaan: This could be the other close match of the day as they have both been in the top half of the rankings for most of the season. UBC led by 5^th year guard Doug Plumb will give Acadia everything they can handle.  Acadia puts up a good fight but doesn’t make it past the first round, UBC by 5 points.

Henry:  Acadia has one of the deepest teams heading to Ottawa, look for Klassen to shine on the national stage. Acadia win this one by a single possession.

Mavs:

Quarter-final #4:No. 8 Victoria vs. No. 1 Carleton

Armaan: Carleton is playing like, well Carleton. Need I say anymore? This is however the one time in the tournament that is the best time to try and upset them before they start to build their momentum. Victoria will fight but watch Carleton lock them down as the game goes on. Carleton by 18

Henry: The Ravens are favourites once again, this could turn into a blowout pretty quickly. Carleton moves onto the Semifinals.

Mavs:

Semifinal #1: Winner Game 1 v Game 2

Armaan: No. 2 Cape Breton v No. 3 No. 3 Ottawa   – Yes CBU fans are starting to not like me right now. I think that Ottawa’s dynamic duo of Warren Ward and Johnny B will be fun to watch play against JD3 and company. CBU should have the advantage slightly down low but I think with the Ottawa faithful on hand they take it in a close one.

Henry: CBU v No. 3 Ottawa  – This is going to be a barn burner, but i’m looking at a magical CBU run this year, so Dorsey keeps it churning and CBU punches their ticket to the finals.

Mavs:

Semifinal #1: Winner Game 3 v Winner Game 4

Armaan: No. 4 UBC v No. 1 Carleton – Again Carleton is playing top basketball and once they make it to the semi’s it’s hard to stop them. UBC will throw everything at them but the Ravens will be too much and UBC will be playing for Bronze. Scrubb and Scrubb take over and march onto the final in their hometown.

Henry: No. 5 Acadia  v No. 1 Carleton – Acadia’s run comes to an end, Carleton is just too deep and they’ll be playing for another title Sunday.

Mavs:

Bronze Medal: Loser Semifinal 1 v Loser Semifinal 2

Armaan: No. 2 Cape Breton v No. 4 UBC – Doug Plumb and company push CBU to the bring pulling out a close victory. Cape Breton will make it close and this game is going either way by a basket. UBC takes it, but I think CBU has the fire power to answer back

Henry: No. 3 Ottawa  v No. 5 Acadia  – A medal for the hosts is how this one ends, Ottawa gets a third place finish over Acadia.

Mavs:

Gold Medal: Winner Semifinal 1 v Winner Semifinal 2

Armaan: No. 3 Ottawa  v No. 1 Carleton – This would be the dream final for Ottawa and would do wonders to the hype after all of the great games these teams have played together this season. #1 Carleton even with the crowd split beats their cross town rivals in an amazing game giving Dave Smart and company another McGee trophy, their trophy case might need some expanding.

Henry: No. 2 Cape Breton v No. 1 Carleton – Dave Smart gets another national Championship, picking up his third in a row

Mavs:

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Whichever way the games go, this weekend promises to be another great display of Canadian University Basketball.

 

 

Moose Stars of the Week

Darcy Ashley has been rolling as of late

The kids from Halifax continue to dominate the headlines, rolling off win after win, with their most recent winning streak at 10 games after going 3/3 i  Quebec last week.

Wins over Shawinigan, Rouyn-Noranda and Val d’Or helped keep the Halifax Mooseheads ranked #1 in the CHL for the second straight week, solidifying their place at the top of the rankings.

To top off the plaudits star forward Jonathan Drouin was named 1st Star in the QMJHL for the month of February, he picked up 28 points in just 11 games and he has extended his point streak to 26 games, the longest in the QMJHL this season.

Here are your Sportstream 3 Stars of the Week:

 

3rd Star – Darcy Ashley (2 Goals, 1 Assist) 

The Summerside native has continued to provide scoring when needed, his energy has been big in tight games and continues to show the hard-nosed two-way play that has become typical of the small forward.

 

2nd Star- Marty Frk (2 Goals, 3 Assists)

Marty Frk continues to provide goals and assists as needed, he’s been playing great hockey as of late and while he’s been overshadowed by Drouin, he’s been a big part of the Mooseheads success so far this season.

 

1st Star  – Jonathan Drouin (3 Goals, 2 Assists, 9 SoG)

What can’t you say about this kid? He’s dynamic and continues to light up the league, his points total speaks for his play and he’s been winning League awards all over the place for a reason.

 

Last Weeks Results

Feb 27th Halifax 4  – 2 Shawinigan

Mar 1st Halifax 5 – 2 Rouyn-Noranda

Mar 2nd Halifax 4 – 3 Val d’Or

 

Upcoming Games

Mar 6 Halifax @ Acadie-Bathurst

Mar 8 Moncton @ Halifax

Mar 10 Halifax @ Moncton