The Minto 81’s added another chapter to the history books.
The 81’s completed the sweep of the Ripley Wolves on Saturday evening, taking a 5-2 victory on home ice.
The win captured the J.F. Paxton Trophy for the second-straight season as the OEHL and OHA Sr. “AA” champions.
The series was a sweep on paper. However, all four games were close. Three of the contests were decided by empty net goals.
This season is unlike any previous one. The championship is not the end of the road for the 81’s. They now advance to the Allan Cup Challenge, which will be played April 20-26, in Waterdown, Ont.
It’s a historic trip for the 81’s, who are the first OHA Sr. “AA” team ever to compete for the Allan Cup, Canada’s senior hockey championship.
The 81’s will be permitted to bolster their lineup for the Allan Cup, if they so choose.
They will be permitted to add up to five players, including a goaltender, to their roster for the tournament, with the following caveats:
- The players must have been on an OEHL playoff active roster
- OEHL players who are signed as affiliate players to Allan Cup Hockey League (OHA Sr. “AAA”) are not eligible to be added to the Minto roster
- Players rights revert back to their original club at the conclusion of the Allan Cup Challenge
Minto will be in Division Two of the Allan Cup Challenge, along with Newfoundland’s St. John’s Rooftech Capitals, and the host Wentworth Gryphins. Division One will feature defending champions Dundas Real McCoys, Stoney Creek Tigers and Clarenville Ford Caribous of Newfoundland.
Minto’s schedule is as follows:
Monday April 21st, 7:30 pm: Minto vs St. John’s
Tuesday April 22nd, 7:30 pm: Minto vs Wentworth
From there, 2nd and 3rd place in each pool will play one-game crossover quarterfinals on April 23rd. The winner advances to semi-finals against the pool winners on April 25th.
The Allan Cup championship game will be Saturday April 26th, at 3:00 p.m., which will be broadcast nationally on CHCH.
For full Allan Cup Challenge information, including tickets, please click here.
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