Timberwolves set to open Maritime Junior final Saturday

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A late-season surge that has translated into a remarkable run in the playoffs sees the Miramichi Timberwolves skating in the Maritime Junior Hockey League final, one step away from the Centennial Cup national championship next month in Ontario.

The Timberwolves open the best-of-seven league championship series in Summerside against the Western Capitals on Saturday to kick off what could be a long and closely fought series between the two former divisional rivals.

Through their eight playoff victories, which included series triumphs over the West Kent Steamers and the Edmundston Blizzard, the Timberwolves have become the kings of the close games, going 7-0 in one-goal contests, which is really 8-0 because their other victory was a 4-2 win over Edmundston that was sealed with an empty-net goal in the final moments.

Game 2 of the championship series is slated for the Miramichi Civic Centre on Monday at 7 p.m. with Game 3 back in Summerside on Wednesday. Game 4 will take place April 28 in Miramichi with both teams looking at a berth at the Centennial Cup May 9-19 in Oakville, Ont.

David Doucet of Baie-Ste-Anne, who joined the team in January after ending his 206-game career in the QMJHL, has played a large role in the surge, racking up 32 points in 20 regular-season games since January and adding another 15 in the team’s nine playoff outings to lead the team in playoff scoring.

Hugo Audette of Mercer, Que., is second in team scoring in the post-season with 14 points while sniper Zachael Turgeon of Amos, Que., has proven ultra clutch with the team’s two overtime goals, one in each series, both on enemy ice to play large roles in the series victories. He is third on the team with 13 playoff points.

Ludovic Dufort of Laval, Que., who was third overall in the regular season with 82 points, sits fourth on the team’s playoff scoring list with 12 points.

In goal, Jack Flanagan of Saint John has built a playoff wall with a scorching hot 7-0 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.75 goals against average.

In all, the Miramichi roster features 13 New Brunswick players.

The Timberwolves finished in third place in the North Division with a 31-16-3-2 record and then downed the West Kent Steamers with a 4-1 series win in the opening playoff win, a series in which they dropped Game 1 in West Kent’s home arena and then reeled off four consecutive one-goal triumphs.

Against the Eastlink North division-champion Blizzard in Round 2, it was more of the same for Miramichi, with four straight wins, capped with a 4-2 victory on home ice before 2,094 fans on April 11 to set up the final appearance.

The teams were both in the North Division the past two seasons before the Caps, the 2022 league champions, moved to the South Division after the league’s realignment prior to the start of the current season in the fall.