Armellin backstops Jr. Canadiens into OHL Cup Final
Nico Armellin stopped all 26 shots that came his way to backstop the Toronto Jr. Canadiens into Monday’s OHL Cup Championship Final with a perfect 6-0 record. JRC bested the Waterloo Wolves, winning 4-0 despite being outshot 26-18.
Jake O’Brien (5) tipped in a Luka Graziano (2A) point shot to score his first of two goals in the game to open the scoring for the Jr. Canadiens. O’Brien (6) would score his second of the contest on the power play in the second period followed by a Luca Romano (5) shorthanded goal to extend the JRC lead to 3-0.
Waterloo would press late in the game with the goalie pulled but were unable to beat Armellin who earned BARDOWN Player of the Game honours for the Jr. Canadiens with the shutout. Hector Martel (1) also had a goal in the game as he netted the empty net marker to seal the deal.
With his shutout coming on one of the biggest games of the year, Armellin had praise for the players in front of him saying, “It was all the team in front of me, they were great defensively, got the pucks out when we needed to, sacrificed everywhere, and now we’re just excited to be playing Monday.”
“It means so much, the emotions are so high right now, we’re going to rest up and be ready to go Monday, it’ll be a good night.” added Armellin, describing what it will be like to play Mattamy Athletic Centre (Old Maple Leaf Gardens) in the final.
Defenceman Hunter Solomon earned BARDOWN Player of the Game honours for Waterloo.
The Wolves finish with a record of 4-2, with standout forward Brady Martin (8-4–12) leading the team offensively with 12 points.
The Jr. Canadiens will play the in the OHL Cup Championship Final Monday night at 7:00pm against the Vaughan Kings at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The game can be seen streaming free on CHL TV, and across the province on OHL Action Pak channel 466. Tickets for Monday’s Championship game are $12.00 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
BARDOWN PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Jr. Canadiens – Nico Armellin (G) – 26 SV SO
Waterloo – Hunter Solomon (D)
