SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Monday, May 6, 2013
SIJHL and Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion Wilderness now know Royal Bank Cup opponents
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League and Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion Minnesota Wilderness now know who their Royal Bank Cup opponents will be.
The field for the five-team event, which goes May 11-19 in Summerside, P.E.I. was finalized Sunday as the Eastern and Western Canadian championships came to an end.
Over in Truro, N.S., at the Fred Page Cup Eastern Canada Jr. A tournament, the Truro Bearcats (MHL) edged the RBC host Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) 3-2 in a double overtime thriller Sunday as the two sides put on a tremendous show despite having both already qualified for the RBC as Summerside is staging the national event.
Across the country in Nanaimo, B.C. the Surrey Eagles (BCHL) punched their ticket to P.E.I. after winning the inaugural Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup as they defeated the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) 4-1 in the title game Saturday to earn one of two RBC spots the West is allotted.
Having one final opportunity to secure a place at the national Jr. A championship, Brooks came through Sunday to nab the second Western slot that was up for grabs after they defeated the Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) 1-0.
As for the Wilderness they earned their first-ever RBC appearance and second all-time for the SIJHL (2006 Fort William North Stars) after defeating the St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL) 4-3 in overtime in their title game Saturday.
Of note, each of the five competing teams in the RBC were all earlier tabbed in the final Top 20 Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings that were compiled each week during the course of the regular season, in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.
Brooks was the consensus No. 1 rated club each rankings period since October while the Wilderness were tabbed at No. 2 overall the final 13 weeks of the 2012-13 campaign.
Meanwhile the RBC host Western Capitals finished up at No. 4 nationally with Surrey and Truro coming in at 13th and 16th respectively.
Minnesota takes to the ice in their RBC opener Saturday as they square off against Summerside at 7:30 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.
The following is the 2013 Royal Bank Cup game schedule:
2013 Royal Bank Cup
May 11-19 @ Summerside, P.E.I.
Competing teams
Host: Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
Eastern: Truro Bearcats (MHL)
Central: Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
Western 1: Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
Western 2: Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Schedule
All start times AST
Saturday, May 11
Brooks vs. Truro 3 p.m.
Summerside vs. Minnesota 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 12
Surrey vs. Truro 3 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Brooks 7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 13
Summerside vs. Surrey 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14
Truro vs. Minnesota 3 p.m.
Brooks vs. Summerside 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15
Minnesota vs. Surrey 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Surrey vs. Brooks 3 p.m.
Summerside vs. Truro 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 18
*Semifinal No. 1 – 2 p.m.
*Semifinal No. 2 – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 19
RBC Championship Game – Time T.B.A.
*-First place team after round robin play chooses which semifinal time slot they will play in.