Timberwolves can clinch MJHL crown on Tuesday

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It was a dream ignited more than a generation ago, one that started with those first strides of the first game in 2000.

Now, all these years and all those contests later, the Miramichi Timberwolves sit on the edge of writing their own chapter of junior hockey history.

On Tuesday evening in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the Timberwolves, who were awarded a franchise prior to the 2000-01 MJHL season, can claim their first ever league title and earn a berth in this year’s Centennial Cup tournament beginning May 9 in Oakville, Ont.

Miramichi leads the championship series 3-1 with Game 5 scheduled at Credit Union Place in Summerside at 7 p.m. in what some are calling the most significant night in the history of the franchise.

The Timberwolves forged the opportunity with consecutive victories last week after the teams split the first two games of the best-of-seven league championship series.

On Sunday, Justin David scored twice, including the winner with 3:04 remaining in regulation time to lift the Timberwolves to a 4-3 victory in Game 4 before 2,168 fans at the Miramichi Civic Centre.

David Doucet and Mitchell Wagner also scored for the Timberwolves, 11-2 in the post-season after finishing third in the North Division in the regular season.

The big story was the effort of Jack Flanagan in goal as the talented netminder from Saint John blocked 45 of the 48 shots fired his way as Summerside played with a desperation throughout.

In Game 3 last week in Summerside, the Timberwolves rallied from a 2-0 deficit and then snapped a 3-3 tie on Tim Porter’s winning goal with 7:44 left in regulation time.

Eliott Robert scored twice for the winners and Ludovic Dufort added a single to support Flanagan’s 28-save performance.

Game 6, if necessary, is slated for Thursday at the Miramichi Civic Centre at 7 p.m. and if the series returns to Summerside for Game 7, that will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. back on the Island.