What every Junior “A” lacrosse team has been working for all year has finally arrived; The Minto Cup finals.
The Ontario Champion Whitby Warriors will take on the host New Westminster Salmonbellies in game one of the Canadian Junior “A” Championships tonight (8/22) at 8 p.m. PST at the Queen’s Park Arena.
After going undefeated in the round robin, the Warriors appear to be the heavy favourites to hoist the 111-year-old trophy.
Whitby dominated the round robin while finishing 3-0 and outscoring their opponents 41-16.
Leading the way offensively for the Warriors is Dan Litner and Curtis Knight who each have registered 13 points in three games.
Litner has found the back of the cage 10 times while adding three helpers. The Cornell Attackmen leads the tournament in goals and tied for third in points with four other players, including Whitby captain Knight (6G,7A).
Trailing behind closely is Ryan Keenan and Michael McDonald, who have 12 and 11 points respectively.
Although the Warriors may be considered the favourites to win the iconic Minto Cup, the Bellies should not be written off just yet.
Coach Dan Perrault’s Salmonbellies finished the season with a solid 16-5 record, picked up some integral pieces before the deadline and lost in the semi-finals to the BC Champion Coquitlam Adanacs.
New Westminster gained vengeance against Coquitlam as they met once again, this time the Bellies came out on top and advanced to the Minto Cup finals.
The Adanacs had a one goal lead heading into the third period but five unanswered goals by the hosts in the final frame punched their ticket to the Canadian Jr. A championships.
One of the two players acquired from the Delta Islanders, Eli McLaughlin, currently is a top of the scoring leaders of the tournament with 14 points. The 2013 BC goal king has seven markers and seven helpers in four games.
Alongside McLaughlin is Anthony Malcolm who has also registered 14 points. The Mars Hill College Lion has been a play making machine, tallying 12 helpers, including four from the powerplay.
Although both teams are high powered out the front gate, the series could also become a goaltending battle.
Whitby’s netminder Alexis Buque has posted an impressive 5.31 goals against average while averaging 35 saves a game. Buque also has gained some help from his very physical and athletic defense. Look to see Chad Tutton, Graeme Hossack and Mitch DeSnoo to key in on the Bellies big guns up front.
Although New Westminster’s netminder Frank Scigliano is posting a 9.03 in the tournament, the Salmonbellies know they have an elite ballstopper between the pipes. The Calgary Roughneck keeper finished second in goals against average among BC tenders in 2013. Scigliano played on his head in the third period of the semi-finals, shutting the door in the third period to secure the 11-7 final score in favour of the Salmonbellies.
The Warriors will play as the host team despite the Salmonbellies playing on their green home floor of the Queen’s Park Arena.
The Whitby Warriors look to capture their second Canadian championship in three years as the Salmonbellies look keep the cup out west for the first time in four years.
Be sure to check back to ILWT for all your Minto Cup Finals news, scores and updates!
