CALGARY - Team Alberta will be going for gold at the 2017 WHL Cup on Sunday, following a 7-1 defeat of Team Manitoba in the first of two semi-final games on Saturday.
Kyle Crnkovic continued his strong play for Team Alberta, scoring two goals, including the game winner, along with an assist to give him 10 points in four games at the WHL Cup. Crnkovic was named Alberta’s Player of the Game for his efforts.
Ridly Greig opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game, with Crnkovic giving Alberta a 2-0 less than 5 minutes later. Seth Jarvis cut the lead in half moments later, scoring Mantitoba’s lone goal.
After that, it as all Team Alberta, with five unanswered goals from Connor McClennon, Joel Sexsmith, Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Borysiuk and Crnkovic.
Assists were tallied by Jake Neighbours (2), Ronan Seeley, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Krz Plummer, Brayden Morrison, Crnkovic and McClennon.
Alberta heavily out-shot Manitoba 50-18, and chased starting goaltender Nikulas Jerris just 12:45 into the first period, who allowed three goals on 11 shots. Dante Giannuzzi allowed four goals on 39 shots in relief.
Garin Bjorklund stopped all but one of the 18 shots sent his way for Alberta, earning his third win of the tournament.
Boxscore > | Game One Recap > | Game Two Recap > | Game Three Recap > | Team Alberta Roster >
Alberta will battle for the WHL Cup title in the gold medal game at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Markin MacPhail Centre (Winsport) in Calgary. It’s a rematch of last year’s gold medal game, as B.C. defeated Saskatchewan 7-0 in the other semi-final matchup on Saturday. The bronze medal game is set for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday between Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
For more stats, schedule and ticket information for the WHL Cup, click here.