Westman connections came through in the clutch for the host Dauphin Kings in their final chance to clinch a spot to the RBC Cup at the Western Canada Cup on Sunday at Credit Union Place.
Killarney’s Aubrey Chapman had a shorthanded marker and an assist, while Souris’ Hudson Morrison also scored as part of Dauphin’s third period rally with three unanswered goals to down the Spruce Grove Saints 4-3.
"That was an exciting goal for me," Chapman told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston. "I’ve been in and out of the lineup all year and it’s just nice to get that one and get the boys on the board and fired up."
"Just the motivation to go to the RBC Cup, we’ve been talking about it all year and we’re hosting this tournament, we weren’t falling short today," said Morrison. "This is the biggest game I’ve ever played in. To hear that buzzer and have the score 4-3 for us is huge."
The Kings couldn’t make their first chance count in Saturday’s loss against the Yorkton Terriers in the championship game and the plot only thickened Sunday in their final shot to keep their season going.
Starter Jordan Piccolino, who was named the tournament’s top goaltender, left the game following a first period collision and Dauphin turned to AP Troy Martyniuk.
The 16-year-old held up his end of the bargain, stopping 24 of the 27 shots he faced in relief.
"It was all excitement; I didn’t really have any nerves behind me. I wanted to go out there and play well for the team," said Martyniuk.
Dylan Butler and Chandler Irvin added a goal and an assist each for the Kings, who join the host Vernon Vipers, Yorkton Terriers, Carleton Place Canadians and Toronto Lakeshore Patriots at the National Junior ‘A’ Hockey Championship, which starts Saturday.
"Five teams, it’s going to be unreal, I can’t even explain it," said Chapman. "It’s exciting, we’re going to be going out to B.C. with only five teams in all of Canada and have a good chance."
PLAYOFFS
Saturday’s results
Spruce Grove 5 Coquitlam 3
Yorkton 5 Dauphin 4 (Yorkton qualifies for RBC Cup)
Sunday’s result
Dauphin 4 Spruce Grove 3 (Dauphin qualifies for RBC Cup)
FINAL ROUND-ROBIN STANDINGS
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS | |
| Dauphin (Host) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 16 | 6 |
| Yorkton (SJHL) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 13 | 4 |
| Spruce Grove (AJHL) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 4 |
| Coquitlam (BCHL) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 4 |
| Wpg Blues (MJHL) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 2 |
ROUND-ROBIN RESULTS
Saturday, April 26
Dauphin 4 Spruce Grove 2
Wpg Blues 3 Yorkton 1
Sunday, April 27
Coquitlam 3 Spruce Grove 1
Yorkton 8 Dauphin 6
Monday, April 28
Coquitlam 2 Wpg Blues 1
Tuesday, April 29
Dauphin 4 Wpg Blues 3 (OT)
Spruce Grove 3 Yorkton 2 (OT)
Wednesday, April 30
Yorkton 4 Coquitlam 1
Thursday, May 1
Dauphin 5 Coquitlam 3
Spruce Grove 5 Wpg Blues3
