CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — That’s a wrap as the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild downed the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride 5-3 Wednesday in Charlottetown and wrapped up a fourth straight Island major midget title.
Kensington led the best-of-seven N.B.-P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League series 3-0 heading into MacLauchlan Arena and though it already had a berth in April’s major midget Atlantics, the Wild’s Ryan Richards said he’d rather earn his way there.
“I think it’s always better to come out as champions. It always sucks not winning it at home in front of our fans, but obviously winning the championship is an accomplishment,” Richards said. “I think we were just able to play well when we needed it the most.”
It proved a close game early as the teams exchanged first period goals (Cameron MacLean, Charlottetown, and Richards), then did the same in the second frame – first Pride captain Nick Reeves at 6:48 followed the Wild’s Dixon MacLeod at 9:12. It made things tied 2-2 heading to the third.
All looked well for the Pride even after Richards second goal just 14 seconds into the third. But an energized and buzzing Wild squad pumped two more scores, courtesy of Lucas Parsons and Landon Clow, past Pride goalie Jonah Arbing over a two-and-half minute span and made it 5-2.
For Reeves, that sequence proved the difference.
“It feels like your heart just got ripped out of your chest. The guys played so hard and didn’t deserve to get swept,” said Reeves, who also scored in the third. “I love these guys, it’s a great group. We’ll take a few days off and prepare for the Atlantic championship where these guys will give their hearts again.”
Next up for both teams is the Atlantics, hosted by the Pride, from April 4-7. Both teams were in the Atlantics regardless of outcome.
So, for playoff MVP Chad Arsenault, who won all four games in the Wild net, going in as winners is momentum for the next goal.
“Just exciting to win the championship…, but we’re not satisfied until we win the Atlantics,” Arsenault said. “(Wednesday) we came together and came out on top.”
Duncan Picketts, Reid Peardon, Kalib Snow, Zach Arsenault, MacLeod, Keiran Gallant (2), Ethan Beaulieu and Matthew MacQuaid had the Wild assists.
Declan MacEachern chipped in an assist for the Pride.
