[{"id":297339,"date":"2026-04-04T17:56:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T21:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl\/?p=297339"},"modified":"2026-04-04T19:04:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T23:04:20","slug":"detroit-honeybaked-comes-out-on-top-at-2026-ohl-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl\/article\/detroit-honeybaked-comes-out-on-top-at-2026-ohl-cup","title":{"rendered":"Detroit HoneyBaked comes out on top at 2026 OHL Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

TORONTO –\u00a0<\/strong>For the first time in OHL Cup history, an American-based team has come away as champions. Detroit HoneyBaked outlasted the Toronto Jr. Canadiens 3-1 to come out on top at the annual showcase of OHL Draft eligible talent, closing out the event with a perfect 7-0 record.<\/p>\n

A big Saturday afternoon crowd took in the action at Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto as tournament MVP Austin Hall<\/strong> lit the lamp twice for HoneyBaked, scoring the deciding goal on a rebound four minutes into the third period.<\/p>\n

It’s the latest in a series of momentous victories for HoneyBaked, who emerged as Michigan state champions last month and also won the Whitby International Silver Stick tournament back in November.<\/p>\n

“Words can’t describe it,” said Hall, who led the OHL Cup in scoring with 14 points. “First American team to do it – it’s history.<\/p>\n

“We’ve been a third period team all year long, coming back from behind and just pushing and having grit. Our saying is ‘grittiness,’ we just love to play hockey.”<\/p>\n

Reid Fallon<\/strong> opened the scoring with his first of the tournament 5:08 into the first period with assists from Max Mitchell<\/strong> and Max Lappan<\/strong>. HoneyBaked led 1-0 after a tight-checking first period.<\/p>\n

The Jr. Canadiens drew even on a goal from Jackson Zinkie<\/strong> 1:29 into the second as he was the beneficiary of a hard net drive from blueliner Anthony Peragine <\/strong>who rushed down the wing.<\/p>\n

Knotted at one to start the third, HoneyBaked came up with the decisive goal-ahead goal as Hall put-home a rebound off Ivan Belikov<\/strong>‘s initial point shot.<\/p>\n

Hall cashed-in on the empty net for his seventh goal of the showcase with 21 seconds to go, sealing the win for HoneyBaked to make OHL Cup history.<\/p>\n

HoneyBaked outshot the Jr. Canadiens 28-24 as goaltender Carter Nash<\/strong> turned in 23 saves to improve to 5-0 in the tournament.<\/p>\n

“I’m so proud of the boys, they’ve worked hard for this and it’s been one of our goals since the start of the season,” said HoneyBaked Head Coach Matthew Romaniski<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“We were serious about coming and winning this. It was good to come up here and finish out the year the right way. The boys have been focused and dedicated. I think we did a pretty good job this week.”<\/p>\n

OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford was on-hand to present the OHL Cup to Detroit HoneyBaked captain Max Lappan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Toronto Jr. Canadiens come away as silver medalists with a tournament record of 6-1, appearing in the OHL Cup Championship Final for the third time in the last four years.\u00a0Brayden Grima<\/strong> and\u00a0Kash Kwajah<\/strong> finish tied for second in OHL Cup 13 points respectively.<\/p>\n

Detroit HoneyBaked emerged victorious from a field of 25 teams, the most the OHL Cup has featured in its 23-year history. The event was once again hosted in partnership with the Greater Toronto Hockey League.<\/p>\n