MEMBERTOU, N.S. – The Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings are looking to clinch first place in the preliminary round of the Don Johnson Memorial Cup championship tonight in Membertou, N.S.
The Wings defeated the Moncton Vito’s 5-2 in Friday’s first game and with a win in tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game with the host Kameron Junior Miners will clinch first place and the top seeding for Saturday’s semifinals.
Against the Vito’s, the Wings got off to a quick start with the Island’s No. 1 defenceman in the Island Junior Hockey League during the past couple of seasons playing a pivotal role.
Calvin McRae’s shot from the point in front of a crowded New Brunswick net allowed Jason Gallant to pick up the rebound and put the Island up 1-0. McRae, only seconds later, just missed from in close as New Brunswick goaltender Julien Landry made a great save. Following the stop, McRae stayed on the ice and moments later drilled a bullet from the point and the Wings led 2-0.
Head coach Nathan DesRosches described McRae as “being worth the price of admission because he is so interested and fun to watch.”
The Island had 56 seconds remaining in a penalty when New Brunswick scored seconds into the middle frame. Going into the third period Spencer Groom and Isaac Knox scored for the Wings to push the lead to 4-1.
New Brunswick, which faced elimination from the tournament if they failed to get at least one point, pulled their goalie with 3:50 to play and managed to score once before Silas Handrahan put scored an empty-net goal to ice the game.
Bronson Banks turned away 28 shots
“Brons won the hockey game for us,” DesRoches said.
