It was Fort McMurray and Melfort battling for a chance to join Portage and Penticton at the RBC Cup in the three vs. four game.
Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) vs. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL)
Two second period goals by the Mustangs was too much for the Oil Barons to overcome as they fell 4-2.
Both teams would find the back of the net in the opening frame. Adam Fauchoux (assist to Cole Hyrsky @9:45) tipped his first of the Western Canada Cup past Oil Barons (starting) goaltender Zach Fortin. Fort McMurray would answer on the power play. Mitchell Vanderlaan (assists to Trent Lofthouse and Austin Holmes @14:09) redirected his second of the tournament behind Mustangs (starting) goaltender Richard Palmer. Shots favored the Oil Barons 9-8.
Melfort would score a pair of goals in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Cole Hyrsky (assists to Adam Fauchoux and Regan Wilton @12:15) wristed his second of the WCC over the glove of Fortin. On the power play, the Mustangs would add to their lead. Eric Sinclair (assists to Tristan Frei and Justin Boyer @17:09) would jam his first of tournament on a goal mouth scramble. Shots favored Melfort 11-8 in the second and 19-17 in the hockey game.
Once again, both teams would find the back of the net in the third. Austin Holmes (assists to Mark Drohan and Logan Franz @18:13) tipped a shot from the point between the pads of Palmer for his first of the Western Canada Cup. Tristan Frei (assists to Eric Sinclair and Justin Boyer @19:34) tapped his second of the tournament into the empty net. Shots favored the Mustangs 12-9 in the third and 31-26 overall.
Fort McMurray will look ahead to next season while Melfort will join Penticton and Portage at the 2015 RBC Cup.
Meanwhile, the Penticton Vees defeated the RBC Cup host Portage Terriers 3-2 in overtime to claim the Cresent Point Energy Western Canada Cup.
Story by Chris Colwell
@Cjcolwell
