SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Photo credit: Hockey Canada Images
Wilderness secure semifinal berth at Royal Bank Cup despite shutout setback
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Surrey Eagles (BCHL) goaltender Michael Santaguida turned aside all 29 shots he faced to back stop his side to a 5-0 shutout over the Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL) in day five play at the Royal Bank Cup Canadian national junior A championship in Summerside, P.E.I.
Despite the loss however the Superior International Junior Hockey League and Dudley-Hewitt Cup title holders have secured a berth in either of one of two semifinal games Saturday at either 2 p.m. AT or 6 p.m. AT.
Who Minnesota’s opponent in that game will be determined after round robin play concludes Thursday evening as the Wilderness will go up against Surrey, the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) or the host Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) in that game Saturday.
Minnesota allowed the opening goal for the first time in four outings at the RBC as Wilderness starter JoJo Jeanetta was beaten on a quick shot, moments after losing his goal stick as Nicolas Pierog found the back of the net at 13:24.
The BCHL and Western Canada Cup champion Eagles took a two-tally lead before the period was complete as Trevor Cameron, who was left alone in front, finished off a nice three-way passing play by rifling an effort just over the outstretched pad of Jeanetta.
Midway through the contest the Surrey extended their cushion using a quick transition breaking out of their own zone in rapid succession with a hard-charging Drew Best finishing off the play to make it 3-0.
Michael Stenerson then redirected a late power play point blast by Devon Toews to put the Eagles up four after 40 minutes as scored at 19:56.
Surrey’s Kevin Kilistoff added a late marker in the final frame to finish things off as the Eagles improved to 3-0 in round robin play with a date against 2-1 Brooks on tap for them Thursday at 3 p.m. AT as they look to finish in top spot and guarantee themselves another contest vs. Minnesota on semifinal Saturday with a victory in that one.
Cameron and Wilderness captain Mike Dietrich earned their respective player of the game honours.
Summerside, also 2-1, tangles with the 0-3 Truro Bearcats in the last round robin contest tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. AT, which will finalize the standings and semifinal opponents.
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)
RBC Standings after game 8
TEAM LEAGUE GP W L PTS GF GA
Surrey* BCHL 3 3 0 6 17 4
Summerside* MHL 3 2 1 4 12 7
Brooks* AJHL 3 2 1 4 14 7
Minnesota* SIJHL 4 1 3 2 9 19
Truro MHL 3 0 3 0 4 19
*-Guaranteed semifinal berth
Schedule
(All start times Atlantic Standard Time)
Saturday, May 11
Brooks 7 Truro 1
Summerside 5 Minnesota 1
Sunday, May 12
Surrey 7 Truro 0
Brooks 6 Minnesota 3
Monday, May 13
Surrey 5 Summerside 4 (OT)
Tuesday, May 14
Minnesota 5 Truro 3
Summerside 3 Brooks 1
Wednesday, May 15
Surrey 5 Minnesota 0
Thursday, May 16
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 – 7 p.m. AT
*-1st place team in round robin chooses semifinal time slot.