Exceptionally, the champion team of the NJHL will represent the circuit at the national championship, which will bring together 10 teams in Estevan, Sask., from May 19-29.
Two months ago, Hockey Canada decided that in addition to the host team, the champions of the nine member circuits of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) would have a place in the tournament in 2022. This measure is intended to replace the regional championships, which normally determine the representatives of the different sectors of the country.
In the Hearst Lumberjacks region, the Dudley-Hewitt Cup was last played in 2019.
In a statement, the Commissioner of the NJHL and president of the LHCJRobert Mazzuca, points out that it will give each champion team a great chance to play for a national championship
.
In Northwestern Ontario, the Red Lake Miners will represent the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
A heavy task for the Jacks
Despite a two-victory lead, the Hearst Lumberjacks face in the final a team that has already established itself on the national scene. The Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds have participated in the Centennial Cup twice in the past decade, in 2012 and 2015.
Lumberjacks head coach Marc-Alain Bégin knows what it takes to be champion in the North. While serving as an assistant coach, he helped the organization win the first championship in its history in 2019.
Marc-Alain Bégin has been head coach of the Hearst Lumberjacks for two seasons.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jimmy Chabot
Sault-Sainte-Marie was the best team. But all through the playoffs, we found ways to win
according to Mr. Bégin.
The Lumberjacks first defeated the Powassan Voodoos in six games in the first round. In the next round, the Lumberjacks outlasted the Timmins Rock, eliminating their rivals in seven games by coming from behind in the ultimate game.
” We learned that you can win anywhere. We won three times on the road against Powassan and three times in Timmins. We would rather play at home, but at the same time we show a lot of character. »
According to rookie defenseman and Hearst native Justin Carrière, these comebacks show that the team has good chemistry.
Very often, we lost between the first and the second [période]. We always came to the end of getting back into the game in second [période] and not let go
he recalls.
The best scorer in the series of the NJHL is Lumberjacks forward Raphaël Lajeunesse. He was particularly marked by the crowds attending the meetings. During game number seven against the Rock, 1,868 people were in the stands at McIntyre Arena in Timmins, a record for the 2021-2022 season. The 20-year veteran couldn’t believe his eyes.
” this is the first time that it happens to me. The atmosphere, people are excited. It puts everyone in the game. »
The Hearst Lumberjacks faced the same teams during the 2019 playoffs.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jimmy Chabot
Marc-Alain Bégin and his players obviously want to win the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, but by the head coach’s own admission, their goal remains the Centennial Cup.
That was our goal after Christmas. [On le savait] that we had a team that could go far! It’s an opportunity you won’t get often in your life
recalls the head coach.
Marc-Alain Bégin says he is happy to have the support of the citizens of Hearst, who are almost as numerous as in 2019 during the playoffs.
The Thunderbirds won’t throw in the towel
The best team in the regular season, the Sault-Sainte-Marie Thunderbirds only lost by two goals or less in the first two games of the final. The team has swept opponents in four games in the previous two series.
Thunderbirds general manager Jamie Henderson says the season has been different from others since the pandemic began.
The players have done a great job of staying focused during these difficult times. It certainly wasn’t easy for anyone in the league
he says.
Two years ago, rookie forward Kelsey Ouellet wouldn’t have thought he would have the chance to play for a national championship spot.
It would be an amazing experience. [Plusieurs d’entre nous] in our team have never had a chance to play in a tournament as big as this
he explains.
Hearst snapped a 26-game Thunderbirds winning streak, stretching from Feb. 9 to the final game of the second round of the playoffs on April 23.
The first line is really strong. We have to do our job in our zone. I think we’ll be okay for the rest of the show,
notes Thunderbirds defenseman Kyle Trottier.
GM Jamie Henderson remains confident that his team’s approach will lead to good results.
” We don’t have many older players. It doesn’t matter if we had injuries or suspensions, we have different players who have come forward. »
No matter what happens, Mr. Henderson says that it will be necessary to complicate the task of the goalkeepers
of the opponent.
Games three and four of the final of the NJHL will take place at the home of the Hearst Lumberjacks, the Center récréatif Claude Larose, at 7 p.m. on May 5 and 6.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca