Summerside, Miramichi split first two games of Metalfab MHL Cup Final

(Photo: Greg MacDiarmid)

The home teams have held serve through two games of the Metalfab MHL Cup Final between Summerside and Miramichi.

The Timberwolves got off to a fast start in Game 1 on Saturday, building a 3-1 lead after the opening period, but Summerside fought back to tie the game midway through the 2nd period. The teams would trade goals before the end of the period to make it a 4-4 game heading to the 3rd. Miramichi again took the lead at 3:30 of the 3rd period with a goal from Zachael Turgeon, but Blake Eastman scored shortly at 4:53 the powerplay to tie things at 5 and the game was off to overtime. After the opening ten minutes solved nothing, teams regrouped for a second overtime period where Ryder Howatt scored at 2:10 to give the Western Capitals a 6-5 win and a 1-0 series lead. Drew Sim made 40 saves for the win, while Jack Flanagan has 42 saves in the loss.

Back on home ice, where they were 4-0 in the playoffs, Miramichi netted two goals in the 1st period and added another early in the 2nd period for a 3-0 lead. Trentyn Crane scored at 12:15 for Summerside to cut the lead to 3-1 heading to the 3rd period. But a goal from Kaden McNeil just 56 seconds into the final frame and a goal from Cole Foston at 6:20 sealed a 5-1 victory for the Timberwolves, who outshot Summerside 55-26.

Remaining schedule:

    • Game 3 – Wednesday, April 24th, 7 p.m. – Credit Union Place
    • Game 4 – Saturday, April 28th, 7 p.m. – Miramichi Civic Centre
    • Game 5 – Tuesday, April 30th, 7 p.m. – Credit Union Place*
    • Game 6 – Thursday, May 2nd, 7 p.m. – Miramichi Civic Centre*
    • Game 7 – Saturday, May 4th, 7 p.m. – Credit Union Place*

*if necessary