Powell River Regals fall to the Stony Plain Eagles in the McKenzie Cup, and now set their sights on an Allan Cup run next year.
April 8 – Game Four Recap
Brandon Skinner’s goal with 11 minutes remaining in game four of the best-of-five senior men’s BC/Alberta championship eliminated the Powell River Regals from further playoff action and earned the Stony Plain Eagles a spot at Allan Cup 2012 as the pacific region representative. Eagles erased a two-goal third period deficit with goals by Blair Zahara and Jeff Yopyk before Skinner broke the tie by jamming a rebound past Regals goaltender Justin Mulholland.
Elias Godoy was the offensive star for the Regals on the night, scoring twice and adding an assist on Dale Lupul’s second period power play goal. Jordan Ceh had the Eagles first goal of the game. Wade Waters recorded the win in goal for the second night in a row after relieving starter David Rathjen midway through the second period with his team trailing 3-1. Waters and Rathjen combined for 29 saves while Mulholland kicked out 22 for the hometown Regals.
Stony Plain will be one of six teams from across Canada competing for the Allan Cup later this month in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. The Regals will now set their sights on Allan Cup 2013 in Bentley, Alberta.
April 7 – Game Three Recap
Powell River Regals face a must-win situation in game four of the BC/Alberta McKenzie Cup series after dropping an 8-3 decision to the Stony Plain Eagles in game three Saturday night. Doug Auchenberg scored twice for the visiting Alberta champions, including the eventual winner on a power play late in the second period. Blair Zahara recorded his second four-point game in as many nights with a goal and three assists to help pace the Eagles attack. Wade Waters earned the win with a 30 save performance. Rick McLaren, Jordy Smith and Elias Godoy scored for the Regals. David Brumby took the loss in net for the second straight night.
Kenora Thistles booked their ticket to Allan Cup 2012 with a 6-1 win in game two of the best-of-three Ontario final against Dundas Real McCoys. Kenora joins Grand Falls, Newfoundland, South East Prairie, Manitoba, Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and Lloyminster, Saskatchewan, in the six-team tournament. Powell River or Stony Plain can join the party with a McKenzie Cup victory.
April 6 – Game Two Recap
Stony Plain Eagles squared the BC/Alberta McKenzie Cup final series versus Powell River Regals at a game a piece with a 6-2 victory Friday night, one day after suffering a 7-2 drubbing in the series opener. Scott Drewicki, Justin Cox and Blair Zahara each had four point nights for the Alberta champions while David Rathjen turned aside 27 shots in a bounce-back game for the Eagles goaltender after allowing five goals and getting the hook midway through game one. Rathjen’s 27 saves performance earned him second star honours on the night. Drewicki, with four assists, was named the game’s first star. Cox edged out teammate Zahara for the third star selection.
Brant Middleton also had a strong night for the Eagles, recording his second and third goals of the series. Zahara’s hat trick, including an empty-netter, and Cox’s single rounded out the scoring for the Eagles on the night.
John Coyle scored his second of the series and fourth of the playoffs for the Regals in the first period. Jordy Smith added his first playoff goal as time was winding down in the third.
The pivotal game three starts at 7:30 pm, Saturday, April 7. Game four is also a 7:30pm start, on Sunday, April 8.
In Ontario tonight, Kenora Thistles stunned the favoured Dundas Real McCoys with a 5-2 win in game one of the Ontario final. The winner of the best-of-three provincial final advances to the Allan Cup.
April 5 – Game One Recap
Rick McLaren scored twice and added two assists in leading the Powell River Regals to a 7-2 victory over Alberta champion Stony Plain Eagles in game one of the best-of-five BC/Alberta McKenzie Cup final at Hap Parker Arena. The line of McLaren, Chris Tarr and Richard Molenaar combined for 11 points to lead the attack while goaltender David Brumby turned aside 20 of the 22 shots directed his way to earn the win.
John Murgatroyd gave the Regals an early lead on his first shift of the game after converting a passing play from John Coyle and Doug Wilson. Tate Locke and Brant Middleton answered for the Eagles to give the visitors a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Locke scored on a power play midway through the period; Middleton’s goal came just 45 seconds before intermission with both teams playing a man short.
Regals took control of the game with five unanswered second period goals, including two each from McLaren and Molenaar, and a single coming off the stick of Coyle. Bobby Russell’s short-handed tally closed out the scoring in the third period.
Stony Plain starting goalie David Rathjen gave way to backup Wade Waters after the fifth Regals tally, the Eagles tandem combined for 27 saves on 34 shots.
