The Miramichi Timberwolves evened their record at the 2024 Centennial Cup at 1-1-0 after a 7-4 win over the host Oakville Blades (OJHL).
Adam Rouleau got the start in net for the Timberwolves, seeing his first action since Game 3 of the Eastlink North Division semifinal against the West Kent Steamers.
Oakville got on the board first, as Luke Johnson scored at 6:34 of the 1st period. Miramichi could not take advantage of two powerplays in the period, but Tim Porter tied things up with just sixteen seconds left. Assists went to David Doucet and Justin David.
Oakville killed off an early Miramichi powerplay to start the 2nd period, but the Timberwolves’ quick-strike ability showed up in a big way. Zachael Turgeon scored on a one-timer at 5:35, with assists to David and Hugo Audette. Elliot Robert found the back of the net fifteen seconds later, with assists to Audette and Ludovic Dufort to put Miramichi up 3-1. Then at 10:34, Cole Foston finished off a 3-on-1 after an Oakville turnover to give the MHL champions a 4-1 lead heading to the 3rd period. And what a 3rd period it was.
GOAL! Elliot Robert scores his second goal of the game to put @MTimberWolves back on top, 5-4 over the @OakvilleBlades. 10:10 left in the 3rd period.#CentennialCup pic.twitter.com/tD1qBcSUzh
— The MHL (@THEMHL) May 11, 2024
Kenneth Belanger got one back for the Blades just 1:26 into the 3rd period as they cut the Miramichi lead to 4-2. Johnston got his second goal of the game, this time on the powerplay, at 4:51 to bring Oakville back within a goal. Shortly after, 6:00 into the period, Belanger got his second goal of the game to tie things up at 4. A good shift from Miramichi midway through the period pays off as Elliot Robert gets his second goal of the game, with assists from Audette and Mitchell Wagner, to put the Timberwolves back on top 5-4. Then at 13:06, David Doucet put the one-timer past Oakville goaltender Gavin McCarthy to give Miramichi a 6-4 lead. Assists went to David and Turgeon. In the final minute, Justin David scored an empty-netter off another turnover to clinch a 7-4 win for the Timberwolves. Rouleau made 33 saves in the win.
Elliot Robert was named the Player of the Game for Miramichi, who will get a much-needed day off on Saturday and return to action Sunday at 8:30 p.m. against the Sioux Lookout Bombers.