The Red Wings defeated the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers 3-2 to win Game 7 and end the Vipers seven-year run as the league champs.
Fans lined the rink, shoulder to shoulder, as Kensington met Western at Community Gardens.
Strong defence from both teams resulted in a scoreless first period and a restless crowd.
Both teams stepped onto the ice with energy in the second, and five minutes into the period, Kensington forward Campbell Gallant scored on Red Wings goalie Bronson Banks.
Western to respond five minutes later, as Chasse Gallant beat Vipers goalie Grant Grady to tie the game.
With six minutes left in the middle stanza, Cole Hackett scored to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead heading to the third.
The Vipers tried but couldn’t fight off the Red Wings as Abel Arsenault put a third goal away 3:40 into the third.
Feeling the pressure in the third, the Vipers responded. Cameron Roberts gave the Vipers fans hope, scoring on a power play with three minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Pulling the goalie and taking a time-out, the Vipers took their chances with 1:21 left on the clock, but they couldn’t cash the equalizer.
When the buzzer rang, the crowd was deafening.
Logan Vandervelden had two assists for Kensington and Ben Keefe one. Robbie Fraser and Connor Morrissey had helpers for Western.
Banks made 35 saves for the win while Grady stopped 39 shots in the loss.
The Red Wings will represent Prince Edward Island at the Don Johnson Memorial Cup Atlantic championship in Fredericton, N.B., beginning on Tuesday, April 25.
Season Champ Runners-up
2016-17 Western Kensington
2015-16 Kensington Western
2014-15 Kensington Western
2013-14 Kensington Montague
2012-13 Kensington Western
2011-12 Kensington Western
2010-11 Kensington Down East
2009-10 Kensington Sherwood
2008-09 Sherwood Kensington
2007-08 Kensington Sherwood
2006-07 Kensington South Shore
2005-06 Sherwood Kensington
2004-05 Kensington Sherwood
2003-04 Kensington Sherwood
2002-03 Sherwood Kensington
2001-02 O’Leary Sherwood
