The Grand Forks Border Bruins have been crowned the Teck Cup champions for the first time in franchise history.
Logan McCabe led the Border Bruins with two goals, including the championship clinching goal in the first period on game four of the series against the Revelstoke Grizzlies, while Eric Kahl was excellent in goal stopping 40 of 42 shots.
The Border Bruins led 3-2 after the first period. However, surrendered both Grizzlies goals on the power-play to Nathan White and Jake Neufeld, but Kahl stopped all 26 shots he faced in the final two periods combined.
“As the game went on, a little nervousness to start, the magnitude of the game in front of us was huge,” said Border Bruins head coach-general manager Dave Hnatiuk.
“We settled down and we found our groove and played our game. Just the fact that the guys stuck with it.”
Levi Astill and Tyler Burke each collected three assists, with the latter earning the KIJHL Teck Cup Most Valuable Player award.
Devin Degenstein stopped 40 of 45 shots for the Grizzlies.
While the Grizzlies went 2-for-3 on their power-play, the Border Bruins went 1-for-6.
Burke had 10 points in the Teck Cup Final and finished with 13 goals, 11 assists for 24 points. He had 11 power-play goals and four game-winners.
“I’m beyond grateful. We won the championship, that is the biggest thing for me,” said Burke.
“It feels great, it feels surreal. I’m still soaking it all in. It’s cool and all, but in the end, the championship is what it’s all about.”
Border Bruins captain Carter Price said it feels unreal to be a champion.
“It’s a cliche, guys say it every year, but we have the greatest group of guys you could ask for,” said Price.
“Tough, mean, skilled. Great guys all-around.”
Overall, Grand Forks went 16-1 on their playoff road and had 3 players with more than 20 points.
The Grand Forks Border Bruins will no go on to contend the Mowat Cup, where they will go up against the league champions from the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in a best-of-five series.
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