Timberwolves capture their first Maritime Junior Hockey League crown

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As 2,300 fans gleefully counted down the final joyous seconds, the Miramichi Timberwolves players raced towards goaltender Jack Flanagan, throwing their gloves, sticks and helmets in the air with reckless abandon.

For the first time since the organization took its first strides in 2000, the Timberwolves had captured the Maritime Junior Hockey League title, thanks to a late-season surge, timely offence, outstanding championship goaltending and their ability to win the close ones.

And now it sets up an appearance at the Centennial Cup Canadian Junior A hockey championship that begins next week in Oakville, Ont.

On Thursday, Miramichi rallied from deficits of 3-1 and 4-2 with three unanswered goals in the final period to defeat the Summerside Western Capitals 5-4 in Game 6 of the league final, to clinch the series in six games and earn a berth in the Centennial Cup that begins next Thursday against the Melfort Saskatchewan Mustangs.

What a run they have put together.

Miramichi is 19-4 since mid February, a stretch that started with a 7-1 slate to close the regular season and then 4-1 and 4-0 series victories over the West Kent Steamers and Edmundston Blizzard in the opening two rounds of the playoffs.

And they have produced in the clutch time and time again.

Of their 12 post-season wins, nine were by one goal and another was a two-goal triumph sealed with a last-second empty netter.

In goal, Flanagan, the six-foot-four, 19-year-old from Saint John, stood tall with the most valuable player effort throughout the playoffs, delivering a top-of-the-line netminding effort that seals titles.

He made 36 saves in the clinching game that was decidedly offensive compared to a 2-1 overtime loss in Summerside in Game 5, a contest kept close because Flanagan was excellent with 54 saves. His output left him with an 11-2 playoff mark, a 2.86 goals-against-average and a stellar .917 goals against average.

In the final series, that save percentage jumped to .927.

Zachael Turgeon led the team in playoff scoring with 23 points while David Doucet and Hugo Audette were tied with 20 points.

But Thursday’s victory also displayed the team’s depth, especially in what developed into the season’s most important moments.

Entering the final frame, the Timberwolves trailed by two goals but Nolan Ryan netted his first of the playoffs 4:56 into the period and Zachary Aprea-Ricard pinched in to convert a pass in front at 13:43 for his second of the post-season.

Both goals were set up by Jeremy Duhamel, who had eight points in the playoffs before the period started, where he ultimately sealed the win when he was credited with the decisive marker at 15:24.

Up next is a week of planning and travel for the 10-team Centennial Cup in Oakville, that runs May 9-19.

The Timberwolves are pooled with Melfort, Sioux Lookout, Ont., Winkler, Man., and the host Oakville Blades for preliminary round action. The top three teams advance to the playoff round.

The championship game is slated for May 19.