Saskatoon Blades blueliner Dalton Thrower lays out Taylor Leier in the first period of last night’s final round-robin game. The league is currently reviewing the play. Video: xXxCrosby87Xx on YouTube
by Kathy K., Associate Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC—The Saskatoon Blades and Canadiens’ prospects Darren Dietz and Dalton Thrower will have to play four games in five nights and win every one from here on out if they want to claim the right to call themselves the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions.
The Portland Winterhawks moved on to Friday’s semi-final game by beating the host team 4-2 last night. With three quick goals in the third period, the Winterhawks erased the 1-1 tie between the two teams in a little over six minutes of play. Despite making 30 saves and even assisting on Josh Nicholls’ goal some time later, Andrey Makarov was not enough to shut down Portland’s offense this time.
He could get another chance, but he has to beat London first.
The Knights were just the latest victims of the QMJHL powerhouse, as their last game was a 9-2 loss against the Halifax Mooseheads. They last faced Saskatoon in the tournament’s opening game and defeated them by the count of 3-2.
The tiebreaker game determines who will move on up to the semi-finals against the Winterhawks. From there, the Mooseheads will battle the winner of that game for the championship.
Thrower threw a hit on Portland’s Taylor Leier in the first period. He was not penalized on the play, however still faces a possible suspension. That decision has yet to be handed down and should be revealed this afternoon.
Coverage of tonight’s tiebreaker gets underway at 8:00 p.m. EST tonight, on both Sportsnet and TVA Sports.