Ice Cap

Former T-Birds Marleau and Dillon, Sharks Advance to First Stanley Cup Final

For the first time in its 25-year history, the San Jose Sharks are heading to the Stanley Cup Final after an impressive 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

The Sharks wins the best-of-seven Western Conference Final series 4-2. Former Seattle Thunderbirds star Patrick Marleau, is also going to his first trip to the Cup in his 19 years in the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Sharks as the second overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Another former T-Birds player, Brenden Dillon, will also make his first appearance in the Final. Joel Ward’s scored two goals, including a perfect pass that he received from Logan Couture that proved to be the series-clinching goal.

Canucks-Panthers Make Transactions

An early off-season move was conducted on Wednesday with the Vancouver Canucks send forward Jared McCann and two draft picks (second and fourth round selections) to the Florida Panthers. In exchange, the Canucks acquire defenseman Erik Gudbranson and the Panthers’ fifth round pick, whom they acquired from the New York Islanders, in this June’s NHL Entry Draft.

Calder Cup Final Close to Being Set

Two teams are up 3-0 in their respective American Hockey League conference finals and can wrap up their series and advance to the Calder Cup Final. The Lake Erie Monsters can win their Western Conference Final series on home ice tonight in Cleveland, Ohio against the Ontario Reign, while the Hershey Bears can do the same in the Eastern Conference Final with a win, but on the road Friday night over the Toronto Marlies.

Tournament-Host Rebels Eliminate Wheat Kings

It took 3:50 of overtime to send the Brandon Wheat Kings home on Wednesday night as Evan Polei was the hero on home ice for the Red Deer Rebels securing a 2-1 win and a date with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) on Friday night, which will determine who will play the OHL’s London Knights in the Memorial Cup Final on Sunday night. The Knights are undefeated in the tournament (3-0) and secured their berth to Sunday’s game after defeat R-N, 5-2, on Tuesday night.

Former T-Bird Back to Coach Silvertip Youth

Everett Youth Hockey officially announced on Wednesday that former Thunderbird player Turner Stevenson will be behind the bench for the Junior Silvertips’ Midget AAA team this fall. The organization’s 16U AAA team plays in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL).