St. John’s Advance To Semis

Quarter-final action at the 2025 Allan Cup Challenge tournament in Flamborough, Ontario got under way on Wednesday afternoon with the St. John’s Rooftech Capitals facing off against the Stoney Creek Tigers.

The teams came out with a quick pace right off the opening faceoff, going end to end throughout the period, but it was the Tigers who struck first, just 58 seconds into the game. The goal came from Dominik Crnogorac’s stick on a slapshot from the point. That lead would last only 31 seconds as the Capitals’ Joel Bishop shot bounced around in the Stoney Creek netminder’s pads and trickled into the net.

St. John’s then got into some penalty trouble, taking three consecutive penalties. The Tigers would take advantage of one of them, scoring just eight seconds into their second man advantage when Paul Geiger’s shot fluttered over the shoulder of the Capitals goalie into the top corner. The goal gave Stoney Creek at 2-1 lead after one period

In the second, it was all Capitals as they outshot the Tigers 20 to ten and outscored them two to nothing, taking advantage on one of five power play opportunities. James Melindy got the first goal of the frame knocking in a back door feed from Jordan Escott while on the power play. Then a couple minutes later Dylan Mackenzie gave St. John’s their first lead of the contest on a floater from the blue line.

Stoney Creek would jump back into the game, notching the game tying goal 1:26 into the third when Kyle Essery crashed the net and tapped in a loose puck. Both teams pressured for the go-ahead goal and had quality chances to score, but it wasn’t until 8:04 of the third that Kyle McGrath took the cross-crease pass from Tanner Humber-Dredge and tapped in what was the eventual winner for the Capitals.

The Tigers pressured late in the third, including the final 80 seconds of regulation with an extra attacker but St. John’s clogged up the front of the net and shut down an attempt to tie it.

Kyle Downer picked up the victory in the St. John’s net, making 32 saves on 35 shots. For Stoney Creek, Tymen took the loss, allowing four goals on 38 shots.

The Capitals advance to the semi-finals on Friday with the 4-3 win over Stoney Creek. Game time and opponent will be confirmed following the completion of the second quarter-final game tonight between Dundas and Wentworth.

Upcoming Games
Wednesday April 23 - Quarterfinals
Dundas vs Wentworth – 7:30pm

Friday April 25 – Semifinals
QF Winner vs Clarenville – 3:30pm
QF Winner vs Minto – 7:30pm

Saturday April 26 – Championship
SF Winner vs SF Winner – 3:00pm

The Allan Cup Challenge runs April 20^th through the 26^th at the Harry Howell Arena in Flamborough, Ontario, hosted by the Wentworth Gryphins. The Championship game on Saturday April 26^th will be broadcast on CHCH TV as well as online on Parrot TV.

Fans can purchase tickets through the Eventbrite website (click here) or at the door on game day.

About Allan Cup Hockey (ACH) and the Allan Cup
Allan Cup Hockey (ACH), formerly Major League Hockey until 2011, is the top tier Canadian senior ice hockey league in the province of Ontario. Founded in 1990, as the Southwestern Senior “A” Hockey League, the ACH is a member of the Ontario Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. The ACH’s champion contends for the Allan Cup each year.

The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the senior ice hockey champions of Canada. It was donated by Sir Montagu Allan of Ravenscrag, Montreal, and has been competed for since 1909. The current champions are the Dundas Real McCoys, who captured the 2023 and 2024 Allan Cup in Dundas, Ontario.

Follow the Allan Cup Hockey League social media on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and now Bluesky.

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