CALGARY, AB – The Northern Manitoba Blizzard will take on the Rockland Nationals (CCHL) on Friday night in the second quarterfinal matchup at the Centennial Cup in Calgary.
A win over the Nationals will book the Blizzard’s ticket into the national semifinal where they will take on either the Calgary Canucks (AJHL) or Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL).
To open the Centennial Cup last Thursday, the Blizzard skated to a 5-4 overtime loss to the OJHL’s Trenton Golden Hawks, in a game where the Blizzard trailed 3-1 and 4-3 before forcing overtime in the late stages. Tyler Bernier scored twice while Taye Timmerman stopped 28 of 35 in the loss. The Blizzard earned one valuable point in group a standings.
On Saturday night against the NOJHL’s Greater Sudbury Cubs, the Blizzard took over in the second and third periods before skating away with a 6-3 win, earning 3 points in Group A. The Blizzard scored four goals in the 3rd period while Taye Timmerman made key saves when needed.
The Blizzard would pick up their second win of the preliminary round on Monday in a tight 3-2 comeback win over the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the SIJHL. Quincy Supprien, Benson Hirst, and Brett Ward scored in the victory.
To close out the preliminary round, the Blizzard fell 6-3 to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Grande Prairie Storm, and completed the prelims with a 2-0-1-1 record.
For live scoring updates and stats, click here.
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