They’re still in this thing.
The Guelph Storm advanced to the Memorial Cup semifinal, which will be played Friday against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
This is after Guelph took care of business in their final round robin game Tuesday, then watched as the host Halifax Mooseheads (Alexis Gravel, Jake Ryczek) clinched the top seed despite a 4-3 loss Wednesday to the Huskies.
Here’s a look at the final round robin standings, courtesy of Sportsnet:
Blackhawks prospect MacKenzie Entwistle has definitely helped the cause, and here’s what he contributed in the big win over the Western Hockey League champions.
Round Robin Game 3: Guelph 5, Prince Albert 2
Entwistle: 1 primary assist, 2 shots on goal
The helper came on Guelph’s second goal of the night, which was scored by Flyers prospect Isaac Ratcliffe. Entwistle skated the puck out of the Storm zone, fed the puck to Ratcliffe around center ice, and the captain took it from there. Note how Entwistle was able to draw the defense into the corner in order to create space for Ratcliffe in the slot.
Captain @isaacratcliffe responds 🌪@NHLFlyers prospect shows off his soft hands with a #BestOfOHL effort in a first star performance to lead @Storm_City in a bounce back win at #MemorialCup 🎥 pic.twitter.com/L5g61p8VYS
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) May 22, 2019
Prior to the win over the Raiders, Entwistle commented on Guelph’s effort in the opening two games against Rouyn-Noranda (win) and Halifax (loss), saying he felt the Storm’s best was yet to come.
“I don’t think we were at our best (vs. Halifax) and I don’t think even that first game (vs. Rouyn-Noranda) we were at our best,” Entwistle said, per Tony Saxon of Guelph Today. “We got our-worked and out-competed (by the Mooseheads) and it showed on the scoreboard. We didn’t deserve to win. But that’s an easy fix. We haven’t had one of those games in a while.”
Whatever the “easy fix” is, Guelph managed to pull it off, and they’ll now face off against the Huskies in the semifinal.
Entwistle was in this position last year, and it’s rare that a junior player gets two shots at a Memorial Cup. Look for a big effort from him Friday and hopefully Sunday as well.
Entwistle’s updated stat line:
3 games
1 goal (even strength)
2 assists (even strength, 1 primary)
6 shots
Entwistle’s three points in three games already tops his output at last year’s Memorial Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he recorded a goal and an assist in four games.
Up next:
Semifinal: Rouyn-Noranda vs. Guelph – Friday, May 24 – 6 p.m. CST
Final: Semifinal winner vs. Halifax Mooseheads – Sunday, May 26 – 6 p.m. CST
Both games will be aired on the NHL Network.