Mooseheads capture 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup
Published on May 27, 2013 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
SASKATOON, Sunday, May 26, 2013 - The Halifax Mooseheads withheld two Portland comebacks to cap off a 6-4 victory and capture the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup in front of over 11,000 fans at the CUC in Saskatoon, clinching a third consecutive title for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Mooseheads had a few good opportunities to open the scoring in the opening minutes of the first period, but they were held off the score sheet thanks to some great stops by Mac Carruth.
It took a power-play for Halifax to get on the board. Konrad Abeltshauser let a shot go from the point that went past the Portland netminder.
The Mooseheads took a 2-0 lead on Nathan MacKinnon's fifth goal of the tournament. He made a fantastic move at the blue line before beating a screened Mac Carruth on his stick side. The Mooseheads kept the pressure up and the hard work paid off as Martin Frk gave his team a three-goal lead at 15:59 after one-timing a perfect Jonathan Drouin pass across the crease into the back of the net.
Zachary Fucale was fantastic, stopping all fourteen shots he faced in the first frame. Halifax directed a total of nineteen shots on Carruth. The Winterhawks cut the lead at 10:36 with a man down. The Mooseheads fumbled with the puck and Nicolas Petan jumped on the opportunity, registering his first marker of the tournament.
Portland got a goal disallowed with just over five minutes to play in the second period after it was judged that the puck had been pushed into the net with a glove. Seth Jones recorded Portland's second goal with just over one minute to play in the second period. He jumped on a loose puck in the slot and beat Fucale in the top hand part of the net.
Halifax got their two-goal lead back at 7:36 of the third period. Nathan MacKinnon collected his second goal of the game, his sixth of the tournament, by pushing a jumpy puck past Carruth.
Konrad Abeltshauser put the Mooseheads up 5-2 with his second goal of the game. The Winterhawks mounted another comeback, but fell just short and the Mooseheads were crowned MasterCard Memorial Cup champions.
Nathan MacKinnon was named the MVP of the tournament. He registered six goals and finished atop the scoring standings with thirteen points.
It is the third consecutive year in which a QMJHL team has captured the crown - a first for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in its history.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from May 27, 2013
- Championship Weekend For Former Dogs - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Mooseheads Capture 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup - Halifax Mooseheads
- Mooseheads capture 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup - QMJHL
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