The Penticton Vees will have to beat the host Cobourg Cougars for a shot at the Royal Bank Cup.
Taylor Sanheim scored in overtime to give the Vees a 3-2 win against the Cougars on May 15.
The Cougars are the second highest scoring team in the RBC tournament, averaging four goals a game. They also allowed the second fewest goals compared to the Vees, at two per game. The Vees allowed 1.75 goals per game, while averaging 2.25 goals for.
Spencer Roberts of the Cougars led all skaters in scoring with four goals and seven points in four games. His teammate Jesse Baird is third with two goals and six points. Vees captain Nicholas Jones ranked fifth with a goal and five points. The Vees next high scorer is Sanheim, ranking 31st with two goals in three games.
In goal, Cougars netminder Stefano Durante posted a 1.92 goals against average, which was third best. He also posted a .930 save percentage. Vees goalie Mathew Robson posted the second best goals against average at 1.68 with a .940 save percentage.
Puck drop is at 11:30 a.m. PST and the game can be view at www.hockeycanada.ca.
The annual awards banquet was held Friday evening. Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar made Canadian Junior Hockey League history by being the first player to be named most valuable player and top defenceman in back-to-back years. He was also named the CJHL National Player of the Year. Jones earned the Tubby Schmalz Award as the most sportsmanlike player.
The full list of award recipients includes:
Roland Mercier Award (MVP): Makar
Top Goaltender: Durante, Cobourg Cougars
Top Forward: Roberts, Cobourg Cougars
Top Scorer: Roberts
Thanks to the legacy from past RBC Cup events, one graduating player from each participating team was awarded a $500 grant. This year’s recipients are:
Nick Prkusic (Medicine Hat, Alta./Brooks, AJHL)
Stefano Durante (Brampton, Ont./Cobourg, OJHL)
Taylor Sanheim (Elkhorn, Man./Penticton, BCHL)
Kevin Laliberté (Bois-des-Filion, Que./Terrebonne, LHJQ)
Lucas Brown (Powassan, Ont./Trenton, OJHL)
