Monday, June 27, 2022. 9:20 PM
Canadiens prospect Jan Mysak still hadn’t scored or scored in three games since the start of the Memorial Cup. Let’s say that in overtime Monday evening in the semi-finals, the moment was well chosen to unlock.
Mysak hit the target to play the heroes after 10:08 of play in extra time and allow the Hamilton Bulldogs to join the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Memorial Cup final.
“Nathan Staios kept the puck on his stick for two minutes and I was struggling with a defenseman,” said Montreal Canadiens prospect Mysak. I saw the shot and created space for myself. I deflected the puck and it went into the net. Not bad! »
The Bulldogs beat the Shawinigan Cataractes 4-3 in the semifinals.
This means that two hopefuls of the Canadians will participate in the final, since in addition to Mysak, the defender Arber Xhekaj is also part of the formation of the Bulldogs.
Hamilton could claim the Memorial Cup for the first time, while Saint John will be aiming for a first title since 2011.
The Bulldogs were the first to knock on the door early in the game. Mason McTavish served a superb fake to goalkeeper Antoine Coulombe, before seeing his shot hit the rod.
Moments later, the Cataractes also had bad luck, as Daniel Agostino deflected a puck off the crossbar in turn.
Then with just over five minutes of play in the first half, Mavrik Bourque took advantage of colossal work by Maximilien Ledoux to open the brand. Ledoux worked hard to allow the Cataractes to keep the puck, which eventually ended up on Bourque’s stick in front of the net. This goal allowed Bourque to register his 7th point of the tournament and take the lead in scoring.
Hamilton wasted no time before offering the rebuttal. A few moments later, Artem Grushnikov redirected a superb pass from McTavish behind Coulombe to bring everyone back to square one.
McTavish came back to the charge very quickly in the middle period. He let off a major league pitch from the top of the face-off circle to put the Bulldogs in the driver’s seat for the first time in the game.
True to form, the Cataractes refused to give up. Olivier Nadeau then deflected a shot from Isaac Ménard in the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
Late in the second period, the Cataractes got a great chance to take the lead, but Charles Beaudoin and Bourque were frustrated by goaltender Marco Costantini, who excelled to maintain the tie.
The Cataractes came very close to finding themselves in deficit in the middle of the third period. Avery Hayes shot on reception from the mouth of the net and the puck crossed the goal line, but officials confirmed there was no goal on the streak due to the referee’s whistle, ruled hasty by the Bulldogs, which had been heard just before.
Shawinigan then made sure not to waste this little gift that fell from the sky. A few moments later, William Veillette skillfully deflected a shot from the point into the back of the net to give the Cataractes the lead midway through the third period.
Then, on their 36th shot of the game, the Bulldogs came from behind by one goal. With 6:04 left in the third period, Logan Morrison got rid of a leaky cover from Agostino to accept a pass in the enclave and pick up the score at 3-3 and force an extension. Xhekaj picked up an assist on the streak, his 4th point of the tournament.
In the middle of overtime, Mysak redirected a shot from Nathan Staios to give the Bulldogs the last ticket to the final.
The Cataracts gave it their all
Goaltender Coulombe had a good game in the loss stopping 39 of 43 shots he faced. At the other end of the rink, Costantini blocked 33 pucks.
This is how the Cataractes’ dream run comes to an end, as they were aiming for their first appearance in the Memorial Cup final since their victory in 2012. Shawinigan won the President’s Cup two weeks ago.
The final will take place Wednesday evening, at 6 p.m. on the airwaves of RDS.
Morrison surprises the Cats in the slot
None other than Mavrik Bourque opens the scoring
Hamilton immediately provides the reply
McTavish strikes early in 2nd for Hamilton
It’s the Cats’ turn to tie the game
Shawi takes control in 3rd period
Morrison surprises the Cats in the slot
Jan Mysak sends the Bulldogs to the final