The Miramichi Timberwolves scored three goals in the 3rd period of Game 6 on home ice to defeat the Summerside Western Capitals 5-4 on Thursday night and win the Metalfab MHL Cup. Jack Flanagan was named Playoff MVP going 10-0-2 in the post-season with a 2.86 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.
The visitors jumped out to the early lead in Game 6 as Jonah MacDonald scored at 7:59. Mitchell Wagner scored at 9:28 for Miramichi to tie the game but, as has often been the case throughout the season, Summerside answered just 27 seconds later as MacDonald tallied his second goal of the game to put Summerside back on top. Connor Keough scored at 13:27 to give the Western Capitals a 3-1 lead after the 1st period.
The Timberwolves pulled back within a goal just sixteen seconds into the 2nd period as Jeremy Duhamel scored on the powerplay. Jacob Squires notched his fourth goal of the playoffs at 7:26 on the powerplay to restore the two-goal lead for Summerside.
For the first time in franchise history, the @MTimberWolves are league champions! They score three times in the third period to defeat @SsideCapitals 5-4 and win the @MetalfabFire MHL Cup in six games.@cjhlhockey pic.twitter.com/LGMO33WFPV
— The MHL (@THEMHL) May 3, 2024
In the 3rd period, Nolan Ryan again got the home side back within one to make it a 4-3 Summerside lead. But the never-say-die Timberwolves weren’t done yet. Zachary Aprea-Ricard scored at 13:43 to tie the game and then at 15:24 Jeremy Duhamel brought the crowd to their feet with the goal that put Miramichi up 5-4. Summerside poured on the pressure, but Miramichi held on to capture their first-ever MHL title.
Metalfab MHL Cup Final recap:
The Timberwolves now advance to the Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ontario to represent the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Their first game is Thursday, May 9th against the SJHL-champion Melfort Mustangs. Full schedule is available here.