FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Truro, N.S. (May 20, 2021) – The Fredericton Red Wings defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 3-2 in overtime Wednesday night to sweep their best-of-three series and capture the 2020-21 Canadian Tire Cup Eastlink North title. Brady Patterson scored at 6:36 of overtime for the victory, the second straight game which needed overtime to be decided. It capped an unprecedented season where players, team staff, stakeholders, and Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) officials worked through the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning started as soon as the 2019-20 season came to an end on the eve of the playoffs last March.
The 2020-21 season began at the end of October, nearly two months later than the traditional start in September soon after Labour Day. Changes in restrictions in all three Maritime provinces over the months that followed forced multiple stops and starts for all teams, as well as several changes to the schedule. Unfortunately, for the second season in a row, the Canadian Tire Cup was not able to be awarded as restrictions announced in Nova Scotia at the end of April shut down play in the Eastlink South. Three teams in New Brunswick were able to continue, leading to the Eastlink North Final between Fredericton and Miramichi.
“The MHL congratulates the Fredericton Red Wings on their Eastlink North Division victory,” says MHL President Steve Dykeman. “We also offer our sincere thanks to the players, team staff, and volunteers throughout the league who took part in this unique season. We also say thank you to our loyal fans and sponsors who continue to support the MHL throughout the season.”
The league now turns its focus to the 2021 MHL Entry Draft, the MHL Annual General Meeting, and then the 2021-22 season, with details to be announced when available.
-30-
Media Contact:
James Faulkner
Director of Communications
Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL)
jfaulkner@themhl.ca