Loss eliminates Soo from semifinal contention at RBC Cup

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Loss eliminates Soo from semifinal contention at RBC Cup

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. –  Brad Bowles tallied three times and set-up another as the Portage Terriers (MJHL) defeated the Soo Thunderbirds 7-2 Tuesday evening in round robin action at the RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A Championship at PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie, Man.

With the result the Thunderbirds fall to 0-3 and despite one final game Thursday afternoon, have been eliminated from contention and will not advance to Saturday’s semifinals while the Terriers imrpoved to 2-1 and secured themselves a semifinal berth.

Portage got the all important first goal 7:47 into the contest as twin brothers Shawn and Brad Bowles combined with the latter redirecting a pass in front through the legs of Sault Ste. Marie netminder Mario Culina.

The hometown Terriers then went up a pair with five minutes to go in the session as Grant Valiquette darted into the Thunderbirds zone, cut right and snapped one high over Culina’s glove.

Portage took control of the contest with a Tanner Jago marker during a two-man advantage as he hammered one in 47 seconds into the middle stanza.

Soo captain Anthony Miller got one back for his side a minute and a half later as he banked an attempt off the skate of Terriers goalkeeper Zac Robidoux from the side of the net and in.

Portage countered that with one from Brad Bowles at 6:25 to make it a 4-1 game.

The two sides then traded tallies in the latter stages of the second with Carson Perreaux connecting for the Terriers and Eric Hillock countering for the Soo.

The Portage power play struck for a second time on the night as Jordyn Boyd notched one during a man advantage 64 seconds into the stanza.

Bowles then finished off his hat trick and four-point night as he broke free while shorthanded and wiring in the Terriers seventh of the night and ending Culina’s night in favour of Brian Kment the rest of the way.

Player of the game laurels went to Bowles of the Terriers and Miller for the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds will conclude their season Thursday at 3 p.m. vs. the 2-1 Penticton Vees (BCHL).

All RBC Cup round robin and semifinal games are available online via FASTHockey.com while the championship will be on TSN.

RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A Championship
PCU Centre – Portage la Prairie, Man.
Dates: May 9-17
Competing Teams
Host: Portage Terriers (MJHL)
Central: Soo Thunderbirds (Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion)
East: Carleton Place Canadians (Fred Page Cup champion)
West 1: Penticton Vees (Crescent Point Energy Cup champion)
West 2: Melfort Mustangs (Crescent Point Energy Cup finalist)

Schedule
Saturday, May 9
Portage 3 Penticton 2
Carleton Place 4 Soo 0
Sunday, May 10
Penticton 4 Melfort 0
Carleton Place 3 Portage 0
Monday, May 11
Melfort 5 Soo 3
Tuesday, May 12
Penticton 4 Carleton Place 3
Portage 7 Soo 2
Wednesday, May 13
Carleton Place vs. Melfort 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 14
Penticton vs. Soo 3 p.m.
Portage vs. Melfort 8 p.m.
Friday, May 17
CJHL Awards Banquet
Saturday, May 16
Semifinal 1: 3 p.m.
Semifinal 2: 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
Final: 8 p.m.