The Collingwood Blues celebrate after winning the Ontario Junior Hockey League Nutrafarms Championship Series in Trenton Monday night. The Blues won the best-of-seven series in six games. (Photo by Tim Bates/OJHL Images)
The Collingwood Blues are back-to-back champions of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
And headed back to the Centennial Cup.
The Blues won the best-of-seven OJHL Nutrafarms Championship Series four games to two over the Trenton Golden Hawks.
The Blues won Game 6, 3-2, in dramatic fashion in Trenton Monday night.
Collingwood captain Dylan Hudon scored the only two goals of the third period, including the game winner with 57 seconds to play.”
Following a scoreless first period, Ryan Cutler and Owen Wilson gave Trenton a 2-1 lead after two. Cameron Eke had sandwiched a goal for Collingwood in between.
“All year long we’ve believed in this group,” Collingwood Head Coach Andrew Campoli told the OJHL after the game. “Even when we were down going into the third, our mindset never shifted away from knowing what we needed to do to come back and get the job done. I’m so proud of this group and everything we’ve accomplished this year.”
The Blues were presented with the Buckland Cup by OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy.
Collingwood’s Spencer Young, who netted 30 points (12 goals/18 assists) in 19 postseason games this spring, was named winner of the Brent Ladds trophy as playoff MVP.
Shots on goal favoured Collingwood 39-33.
Attendance was 1,221.
The Blues will play in their second straight Centennial Cup national championship, in Oakville May 9-19.
Collingwood’s first game at the Centennial Cup will be played May 9 against Calgary, the champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
For information on the Centennial Cup, including the schedule and tickets, go to: https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/national-championships/men/national-junior-a/2024
SERIES SCORES
Trenton 4 at Collingwood 5, April 19
Trenton O at Collingwood 4, April 20
Collingwood 4 at Trenton 5, April 22
Collingwood 1 at Trenton 3, April 24
Trenton 2 at Collingwood 7, April 26
Collingwood 3 at Trenton 2, April 29