Back-to-Back: Gryphins Defend the Robertson Cup

Saturday night saw the 2026 Robertson Cup Playoffs come to a close as the Wentworth Gryphins lifted the Robertson Cup for the second consecutive year, defeating the Stoney Creek Tigers 4-3 to win the series three games to two. Remarkably, the Gryphins claimed all three of their victories on the road. Alex Hutchings was the hero, scoring twice in the final period to tie the game and then give Wentworth the lead for good.

This year's Robertson Cup Finals may well have been the most entertaining and evenly matched championship series in league history. Three games went to overtime, and every contest was decided by a single goal.

Wentworth drew first blood when Kevin Harvey scored his third of the postseason at 10:05 of the first period. Both teams had their chances, but the Gryphins held their one-goal lead through the remainder of the frame.

The Tigers found their stride in the second period, responding with three consecutive goals to take control. Cordell James evened the score at 3:22 with his sixth of the postseason, and before fans could settle back into their seats, Kyle Essery made it 2-1 just nine seconds later with his fifth of the playoffs. James struck again at 7:56 to push the Tigers' lead to two. Less than a minute later, Elijah Roberts pulled the Gryphins back within one to set the stage for a dramatic finish.

Wentworth wasted no time in the third. Hutchings leveled the score at three just 34 seconds into the final frame, then added the go-ahead goal two minutes later. The Gryphins appeared to have sealed the win with an empty-net goal under a minute to play, but the play was blown dead on a penalty call, giving Stoney Creek a 6-on-4 advantage with their goalie pulled. The Tigers were unable to solve the Gryphins' netminder, however, and Wentworth held on to claim the championship.

Joe Murdace earned the victory in just his second start of the playoffs, turning aside 25 of the 28 shots he faced. Daniel Svedin took the loss — his first defeat in regulation all season, regular season or playoffs — stopping 24 shots on 28 attempts.

With the Robertson Cup now decided, attention turns to the 2026 Allan Cup Challenge Tournament. Both the Gryphins and the Tigers will represent the league in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, with the tournament running April 19th through the 25th and all games taking place at the CBS Arena.

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For more information contact Allan Cup Hockey Commissioner Rick Richardson at 905-328-4727 or email: rickystar911@outlook.com