HALIFAX, NS After seven days of competition and two exciting semi-final games, it has come down to the Halifax Oland Exports (Host) and the OCN Blizzard (West Region) facing off for the 2002 Royal Bank Cup.
The Oland Exports and the Blizzard will meet in Sundays Royal Bank Cup championship game, which will be played at the Halifax Forum in Halifax, N.S. at 1:00pm (Atlantic Time), 12:00pm (Eastern time) and will be broadcast live across the country on TSN and RDS. Halifax defeated OCN 4-3 in overtime during the round robin portion of the championship earlier in the week.
In Saturdays first semi-final, the OCN Blizzard defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs (Pacific Region) 4-3, giving them a berth in Sundays championship game. David Splawinski had a goal and an assist for the Blizzard while goaltender Marc Andre Leclerc made 44 saves for the victory. OCN finished the round robin portion of the championship in third place with a 2-2 record.
Saturdays second semi-final featured a shootout between the Halifax Oland Exports and the Ottawa Junior Senators (East Region), with the Oland Exports coming out on top by a 9-7 score. Francis Cloutier lead the Halifax attack with two goals and two assists. The championships top goaltender, Scott Gouthro, made 34 saves to record the win between the pipes. Halifax finished the round robin portion of the championship in first place with a perfect 4-0 record.
Tickets for Sundays championship game are still available at the Forum box office. There is a good selection of reserved seats still remaining as well as standing room only tickets for just $10. For ticket information call the Royal Bank Cup Control Centre at (902) 422-2002