Skip to content

Close games continue at Memorial Cup

The Quebec League champs opened the MasterCard Memorial Cup with a victory on Saturday night
2018-05-19 Bathurst vs. Swift Current MB
Samuel Asselin #28, Jeffrey Truchon-Viel #25 and Liam Murphy #61 of Acadie-Bathurst Titan react to the game winning goal against Stuart Skinner #74 of Swift Current Broncos during overtime at the Brandt Centre on May 19, 2018 in Regina, Canada. Photo courtesy Marissa Baecker/CHL Images

REGINA, Sask. – Another day, another one-goal game at the 2018 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

After the host Regina Pats scored a narrow win over the Ontario League’s Hamilton Bulldogs on opening night, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (Quebec League) used an overtime goal by Liam Murphy to beat the Western League’s Swift Current Broncos 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Brandt Centre in Regina.

Murphy beat Swift Current netminder Stuart Skinner on a rebound after the veteran netminder made an initial save on Titan defenceman Noah Dobson from the right side.

The Titan scored a pair of shorthanded goals in the win and both coaches called the goals a difference in the game.

“(The shorthanded goals) were a huge difference for us,” said Titan Coach Mario Pouliot.

“We have guys with a lot of speed playing on the penalty kill,” Pouliot also said.

“Our power play has been our strength all season long and won us hockey games,” said Swift Current Coach Manny Viveiros. “When you give up a shorthanded goal, it’s deflating at times.

“To give up two is very uncharacteristic of our hockey team,” Viveiros also said. “It’s something that’s very easily correctable.”

Samuel Asselin paced the Titan with a pair of goals while Jeffrey Viel assisted on three goals. Adam Holwell had the other goal for Acadie-Bathurst.

Titan goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick made 24 saves.

At the other end, Skinner was much busier, making 35 saves in the loss.

Giorgio Estephan paced the Broncos offensively with two goals and an assist. Tanner Nagel and Colby Sissons assisted on a pair of goals each. Tyler Steenbergen had the other goals for the Broncos.

“We didn’t deserve to win the game, but we were close enough to be in the hockey game,” Viveiros said. “We’re going to take some positives. We know we can play a lot better and we’re capable of playing a lot better.”

Steenbergen left the game in the second period due to injury and did not return.

Viveiros declined to comment on the extend of the injury, only saying that Steenbergen was day-to-day.

There will be little time to enjoy the win as the Titan return to action on Sunday against the Pats. Swift Current will have the day off before facing Hamilton on Monday night. The game will be the first in a back-to-back scenario for the Bulldogs that will see the team face the Titan on Tuesday night.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.


Discussion


Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
Read more