Bulldogs beat Oil Kings 4-2 to reach Memorial Cup semifinal
Jun 24, 2022, 6:03 AM | Updated: 9:06 pm
Edmonton Oil Kings' Jakub Demek (77) and Jake Neighbours (21) react to a goal on Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Marco Costantini, right, during the third period of a Memorial Cup hockey game in Saint John, New Brunswick, Friday, June 24, 2022. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP)
(Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP)
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick (AP) — Marco Costantini made 40 saves, Mason McTavish scored the deciding goal and the Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 on Friday night to advance to the Memorial Cup semifinal game.
Shawinigan will face host Saint John on Saturday in the round-robin finale, with the winner advancing to the final and the loser to the semifinal.
McTavish, drafted third overall by the Anaheim Ducks last year, gave Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton a 3-1 lead with 6:34 left.
“We were kind of getting outplayed there in the third,” McTavish said. “We expected them to have a big push there. It was their season on the line. We expected it, but it was nice to (score) that one.”
He also had an empty-net goal with a second left.
Avery Hayes and Ryan Winterton had power-play goals for the Bulldogs in the first period. Hayes connected at 9:09 and Winterton with 3:13 left.
Jalen Luypen and Jake Neighbours scored in third for Western Hockey League champion Edmonton. Luypen cut it to 2-1 with a short-handed goal at 2:03 and Neighbours scored with 2:46 left.
“I thought it was the best game of the tournament for us,” Neighbours said. “Just couldn’t finish early. Proud of the guys. We never quit.”
Sebastian Cossa stopped 32 shots for the Oil Kings.
Hamilton finished 1-2 in round-robin play, rebounding from a 3-2 loss to Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Shawinigan on Thursday night. Edmonton beat host Saint John 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night for its lone victory.
Canceled the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event features the winners of the three major junior leagues and the host team.
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