Five OHL clubs advance on opening day of Memorial eCup Presented by Kia
Five OHL clubs came away victorious on Day 1 of the inaugural Memorial eCup Presented by Kia as commentators Reed Duthie (Hamilton Bulldogs) and Branden Scott (Sudbury Wolves) provided the call across League and member team Twitch and Facebook platforms.
The 64-team bracket got started with 10 games on Saturday. Here’s a glimpse at the day’s action:
Sarnia 6, Winnipeg 4
Entering the third period knotted at two, Justin O’Donnell propelled his Sarnia Sting over Michael Milne and the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE with a four-goal third period. The ICE brought physicality throughout the contest, but O’Donnell opened things up in the third as Sam Bitten scored the eventual game winner. ‘O.D’ got a big performance from Brayden Guy, who potted a pair of goals in the win.
Buzzing into Round 2 of the #KiaCHLeCup ?
A four-goal third period propels Justin O’Donnell (@ODonnell8803) and @StingHockey past the @WHLWpgICE by a score of 6-4!
Watch Live ?: https://t.co/gXE0XOmJer
Bracket ?: https://t.co/BlJANVYUcU pic.twitter.com/dd0x1MO4Gj— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 28, 2020
Tri-City 2, Guelph 1 – SO
Booker Daniel‘s Tri-City Americans came out on top in a tightly-fought shootout outcome, getting deciding tallies from Connor Bouchard and Sasha Mutala. Ben McFarlane‘s Storm found themselves outplayed in this one, but they weren’t without their scoring opportunities. McFarlane teamed up with linemate Pavel Gogolev for the Storm’s lone goal after Tri-City opened the scoring on a goal from John Little. The Americans advance behind a solid goaltending performance from Talyn Boyko.
We like that chat ?#KiaCHLeCup pic.twitter.com/ITeRoLTBEo
— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) November 28, 2020
Sault Ste. Marie 2, Swift Current 1
Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins pulled out the win in the game’s dying moments, edging Bode Hagan of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos on a deciding goal by Tye Kartye. The two sides entered a back-and-forth third period as New Jersey Devils draftee Jaromir Pytlik struck first for the Hounds before Hagan answered, scoring as himself for the equalizer. Bailey Brkin provided key saves for the Greyhounds as they advance to Round 2.
Punching their ticket ?️@NHLFlames prospect Rory Kerins (@kerinssy23) turned to his buddy Tye Kartye for the winner in the game’s dying minutes as @OHLHoundPower edged the @SCBroncos 2-1! #KiaCHLeCup
Watch Live ?: https://t.co/gXE0XOmJer
Bracket ?: https://t.co/BlJANVYUcU pic.twitter.com/qTKCAhcNES— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 28, 2020
Saginaw 7, Spokane 3
Matty Leduc staked out an early lead for his Spokane Chiefs, but it wasn’t long before Saginaw Spirit winger Danny Katic took control. The Spirit soared to a 7-3 win thanks to two goals and two assists from Blade Jenkins. Katic drew a goal and an assist out of himself in the victory as the Spirit advance to Round 2 after a one-sided victory courtesy of Katic.
A historic afternoon for the #Spirit picking up a 7-3 victory over @spokanechiefs. The man behind the controller, @d_katic27 spoke about the victory. #SoarWithUs | #KiaCHLeCup pic.twitter.com/0HHp5F06es
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) November 28, 2020
Hamilton 5, Gatineau 4
Zachary Roy won an all-Roy showdown, narrowly defeating Gatineau Olympiques forward Pier-Olivier Roy by a score of 5-4. Ryan Winterton netted the game winner inside the game’s final minute as the Bulldogs prevailed in a back-and-forth affair. Avery Hayes led the Bulldogs with a goal and two helpers while George Diaco picked up an assist on Winterton’s deciding marker. The Bulldogs became the fourth OHL club to advance to the second round.
Ryan Winterton (@ryanwinterton22) with the game winner!
Zach Roy (@zachroy29) gets it done for the @BulldogsOHL as they edge @LesOlympiques 5-4 in the final minute of regulation. #KiaCHLeCup
Watch Live ?: https://t.co/gXE0XOmJer
Bracket ?: https://t.co/BlJANVYUcU pic.twitter.com/0VIkFol3f0— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 28, 2020
Oshawa 5, Red Deer 4 – OT
Allan McShane was outshot by a very capable Chris Douglas and the Red Deer Rebels, but managed to find a way as Philip Tomasino finished on a shorthanded overtime breakaway to give the Oshawa Generals a 5-4 victory. McShane scored five goals on just 12 shots in the win, making the most of his chances in front of goaltender Jordan Kooy who made some nice saves along the way. The Gennies made it five OHL clubs advancing to the second round on Saturday.
? @philtomasino26 ?
YOU KNEW HE WOULD! SHORTHANDED, @allan_mcshane PULLS OFF THE VICTORY!
5-4 GENS!#KIACHLeCup pic.twitter.com/gjnr96vCYO
— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) November 29, 2020
Vancouver 4, London 0
Max McCue and the London Knights were no match for Trevor Longo‘s Vancouver Giants to wrap up opening day action of the Memorial eCup presented by Kia. McCue couldn’t get the offence moving as Longo’s direct and sure-minded approach put him in great scoring positions, carrying the Giants into Round 2 of the event.
Longo grabs a W in the first game of the #KiaCHLeCup! pic.twitter.com/AXLfQmR6zn
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) November 29, 2020
For coverage of the Memorial eCup Presented by Kia, visit CHL.ca and be sure to follow the Ontario Hockey League on Twitch and Facebook. The action continues on Monday evening with the Niagara IceDogs and North Bay Battalion both in action.
