NEWS

Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL) goaltender Gordy Defiel registered his second consecutive shutout stopping all 36 shots fired his way leading his team to a 3-0 victory over the previously unbeaten St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL) Thursday afternoon at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Junior championship at North Bay Memorial Gardens.

(pictured - Minnesota Wilderness netminder Gordy DeFiel stops St. Michael's Bron Loiselle for one of his 36 saves and second consecutive shutout - photo credit: Chris Dawson/Dudley-Hewitt Cup)

Following a 30-minute delay to the start of the game after a pane of glass was shattered in the warm-up, the Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Wilderness struck for the only tally in the opening 20 minutes as forward Dylan Haskins snapped a quick shot low under the outstretched pad of St. Michael’s starter Adrian Ignagni 8:41 into the contest.

Looking to add to their lead early in the middle stanza, Minnesota had a partial break two-man break while shorthanded only to have Ignangni stymie Jeremy Johnson from the left of the crease.

St. Michael’s had a good opportunity of their own, midway through the period, only to have Gordy Defiel thwart Shane Conacher with a poke-check.

The Buzzers continued to press for the equalizer, but a couple of big saves by Defiel kept the game scoreless after 40 minutes.

An early man advantage opportunity in the third allowed the Wilderness to go up a pair as Jordan Shockley’s harmless looking shot found its way past a screened Buzzers’ goalkeeper who came in contact with Johnson, outside of the crease, just as the puck slid into the net.

Moments after Mitch Marner rang a shot off the crossbar for the OJHL side the SIJHLers countered as Johnson redirected a point shot through a crowd and in to add some insurance and round out the scoring.

Earning player of the game accolades in the contest was Defiel and Ignangni of St. Michael’s, who faced 38 shots overall.

For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

With the result the Wilderness improve to 2-1 and have guaranteed themselves at least a semifinal berth.  With the loss, St. Michael’s slipped to 2-1 having already secured a playoff bid and are now guaranteed to play in Friday night's semi-final contest.

If the North Bay Trappers win the evening contest, then it will be a three-way tie for first place, eliminating the Soo Thunderbirds from the tournament, and will come down to a goal differential scenario between Minnesota and North Bay, as Minnesota holds the edge on St. Mike's.  If the Soo wins the evening game, then the host Trappers are eliminated, the Wilderness automatically earn the bye to the championship game, and the Buzzers will face the Thunderbirds in the semi-final tomorrow night.

Dudley-Hewitt Cup
April 30-May 4 @ North Bay

Competing teams
North Bay Trappers (Host-NOJHL)
Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)

Schedule/Results
April 30
St. Michael’s 4 Soo 2
North Bay 4 Minnesota 1  
May 1
Minnesota 7 Soo 0
St. Michael’s 5 North Bay 2
May 2
Minnesota 3 St. Michael’s 0
North Bay vs. Soo 7 p.m.
May 3
Semifinal: 2nd round robin vs. 3rd round robin 7 p.m.
May 4
Final: 1st round robin vs. Semifinal winner 7 p.m.

STANDINGS
After game 5
TEAM            GP    W    L    PTS  GF   GA
Minnesota       3     2    1    4    11   4
St. Michael’s   3     2    1    4    9    7
North Bay       2     1    1    2    6    6
Soo             2     0    2    0    2    11

Dudley-Hewitt Cup winner advances to the Royal Bank Cup May 11-19 in Summerside, P.E.I.