The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild recorded their third straight win – a convincing 6-1 decision – over the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride in Game 7 of the best-of-seven provincial championship series on Saturday night.
“We always had this motto in our dressing room that we believed in each other,” said Wild forward and captain Tayler Read of Wilmot Valley. “Even when we were down 3-1 (in the series) we weren’t going to quit on each other.
“We’ve been resilient all year, and came back in games. We knew it was another bump in the road.”
The Wild, who has won back-to-back provincial championships, and three titles in their four years in Kensington, will represent P.E.I. at the Atlantic championship in Miramichi, N.B., from March 30 to April 2.
“Our team has a lot of heart to come back and win this series,” said Wild defenceman Clark Webster of Kelvin Grove. “We have a lot of push, and hopefully we’ll bring it to Atlantics.”
Before a full house at a rocking Community Gardens, Kensington jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the first period on goals by Cameron Roberts (2:56, power play) and Zach Thususka (9:36). Kennedy Gallant’s power-play goal tied the game 1-1 at 7:20.
“We were able to bounce back and put ourselves back in it,” said Pride head coach Luke Beck. “They scored to go up 2-1, and from there we struggled to gain any serious momentum to push in a do-or-die game.
“They were probably the better team (Saturday), and deserved to win Game 7.”
Ryan Richards scored a power-play goal 5:49 into the second period, and Thususka’s breakaway tally at 6:18 made it 4-1. Zac Arsenault (1-1) scored at 18:44 to send the Wild into the second intermission up 5-1.
“We came out with a lot of fire in the first period, got up and just kept burying them,” said Webster.
The hard-working Coleton Perry (1-1) closed out the scoring at 11:31 of Period 3 on a beautiful pass from rookie Bennett MacArthur, who contributed two assists. Webster and Carter Cahill also assisted while Connor McGregor and Jordan Spence set up Charlottetown’s marker.
Wild goaltender Caleb Coyle faced 21 shots while Charlottetown’s Noah Laybolt was tested 39 times.
“It feels amazing,” said Coyle. “There’s not many ways to describe it.”
Click here for story on Zach Thususka named series MVP:
Click here for story on Wild goaltender Caleb Coyle crediting a total team effort:
Suspension
Kensington played Game 7 without head coach Kyle Dunn, who received a one-game suspension after the Wild failed to remain on their bench at the final buzzer following Game 6.
“The boys rallied around the fact Kyle was suspended,” said Wild assistant coach Duane Richards. “They chipped in and said they were going to win this one for Coach Dunn.”
Charlottetown was assessed six minor penalties and three double minors. The Wild, who scored three power-play goals in Game 7, received four minors and one double minor.
“The key for the series was our special teams were better than theirs for the most part,” assessed Richards.
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Resumé
Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild playoff history:
Provincial Major Midget Hockey Championship
(Best-of-seven)
2014 – defeat Charlottetown Islanders 4-2.
2015 – lose to Charlottetown Islanders 4-2.
2016 – defeat Charlottetown Islanders 4-0.
2017 – defeat Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride 4-3.
Schedule
Wild schedule at Atlantic championship in Miramichi:
Thursday, March 30
4 p.m. – vs. Nova Scotia (Cape Breton West Islanders).
Friday, March 31
1 p.m. – vs. Host (Miramichi Rivermen).
Saturday, April 1
9 a.m. – vs. Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s Maple Leafs).
3 p.m. – vs. New Brunswick (Moncton Flyers).
Note: The top two teams after round-robin play will meet in Sunday’s final at noon.
Series
A recap of provincial major midget series:
Game 1
March 4
Pride 3 at Wild 2 (OT).
Game 2
March 8
Wild 3 at Pride 1.
Game 3
March 11
Pride 5 at Wild 4.
Game 4
March 15
Wild 2 at Pride 5.
Game 5
March 17
Pride 2 at Wild 3.
Game 6
March 23
Wild 2 at Pride 1.
Game 7
March 25
Pride 1 at Wild 6.
