Taking Note

Two first-round selections in last week’s WHL bantam draft have signed contracts. . . . D Josh Anderson has signed with the Prince George Cougars. He was the third overall selection. . . . F Parker Aucoin, who went 15th overall to the Tri-City Americans, also has signed. . . . Both players are represented by Turning Point Sports Management. . . . Anderson, 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, is from Duncan, B.C. . . . Aucoin, 6-foot-0 and 176 pounds, had 87 points, including 63 goals, in 33 games with the bantam AAA Calgary Northstar Sabres.
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The Halifax Mooseheads won their first QMJHL championship last night, defeating the visiting Baie-Comeau Drakkar 5-1 and winning the best-of-seven final, 4-1. . . . The Metro Centre was sold out (10,595). . . . The Mooseheads took control early with three first-period goals, the first two via the PP. . . . Halifax F Jonathan Drouin was named the playoff MVP. He put up 35 points in 17 games.
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In the OHL, F Bo Horvat scored twice to help the host London Knights to a 6-4 victory over the Barrie Colts. . . . Barrie leads the best-of-seven final 3-2 with Game 6 in its home arena tonight. . . . Horvat scored a PP goal in the second period for a 4-1 lead and added a shorthanded goal in the third to up the lead to 5-2. . . . Barrie F Anthony Camara, who took a charging major earlier in the series and escaped without a suspension, was ejected with a charging major at 14:17 of the third period.
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THE COACHING GAME:
Shawn Martin is the new general manager and head coach of the SJHL’s La Ronge Ice Wolves. He replaces Bob Beatty, who won two SJHL titles with La Ronge. He resigned following this season and now is with the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals. . . . Martin, 35, has been working with the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm, where he served as assistant GM, assistant coach and head scout. . . . He also worked with the AJHL’s St. Albert Steel and Sherwood Park Crusaders.
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The WHL’s playoff situation:
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Portland vs. Edmonton
(Portland leads, 3-1)
(All times local)
Game 1: Friday, May 3 — Edmonton 4 at Portland 1 (10,097)
Game 2: Saturday, May 4 — Edmonton 0 at Portland 3 (10,947)
Game 3: Tuesday — Portland 3 at Edmonton 1 (8,513)
Game 4: Wednesday — Portland 2 at Edmonton 1 (8,400)
Game 5: Friday, Edmonton 3 at Portland 2 (OT) (10,947)
Game 6: Sunday, at Edmonton, 4 p.m.
x-Game 7: Monday, May 13, at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.
x – if necessary.


All games are being televised by Shaw in Canada. They also will be televised in Portland, with Game 6 on Comcast SportsNet, and Game 7 on Root Sports.
Comcast and Roots will pick up the Shaw telecast that feature play-by-play man Dan Russell, along with Bill Wilms, Peter Loubardias and Andy Neal.
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FRIDAY’S GAME:
In Portland, F Michael St. Croix scored three times and G Laurent Brossoit stopped 49 shots to lead the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Winterhawks. . . . St. Croix, who has 14 goals, got the winner at 7:24 of OT. . . . Edmonton F Dylan Wruck drew three assists. . . . F Joey Baker opened the scoring, giving Portland a 1-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game. . . . Edmonton tied it at 10:14 when a shot by F T.J. Foster went in off a skate. The goal was credited to St. Croix but very well might be changed at some point. . . . Edmonton took a 2-1 lead when St. Croix scored at 7:01 of the third period. . . . Portland forced OT when F Brendan Leipsic tied it at 14:05 of the third. . . . Portland G Mac Carruth turned aside 27 shots. . . . Portland was 0-for-2 on the PP; Edmonton never had an opportunity with the man advantage. . . . The Rose Garden was sold out (10,947). . . . They’ll play Game 6 in Edmonton on Sunday. . . . It was the first OT game of these playoffs for the Winterhawks; the Oil Kings are 1-3.
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Here’s how Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune started his column after the game:
“It ended with the Rose Garden's sellout throng sitting in stunned silence, Michael St. Croix's goal in sudden-death overtime preventing what would have been a celebration for the ages.
“Moments later, Western Hockey League commissioner Ron Robison was busy texting on his cell phone outside the Harry Glickman Media Room.
“I looked over his shoulder and I'm pretty sure he was communicating this to his cronies:
“ ‘Whew. That was close. Almost had to take to the ice to present the championship trophy. Live for another day.’ ”
Eggers’ column is right here.
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Paul Buker of The Oregonian has his game story right here.
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Derek Van Diest of the Edmonton Sun was at the game and his game story is right here.
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Columnist Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun didn’t travel to Portland, but still file a column. It’s right here.
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CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT (21):
None

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT (7):
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