WHL Championship: Benn returns, Rockets win WHL title
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Stars prospect Jamie Benn returned to the lineup Saturday night and set up goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Kelowna Rockets beat the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 to win the Western Hockey League's Ed Chynoweth Cup.
The Rockets' 4-2 series wins means they will now head to the Memorial Cup, which begins Friday in Rimouski, Quebec.
Benn, who missed the last three games of the series after getting hit hard into the endboards in Game 2 of the series, provided an emotional boost for the team early in the second period with Calgary leading 1-0.
After Calgary defenseman Michael Stone leveled Kelowna forward Mikael Backlund with a big open ice hit, Benn went after Stone and picked up a double minor.
"It was a turning point for us when Jamie jumped in," Kelowna coach Ryan Huska said on AM 1150 (Kelowna). "We killed off that penalty and took over from that point on."
Benn also played a role in all three goals for the Rockets. He screened Calgary goalie Martin Jones on Colin Long's power play goal that tied the game 1-1 at 11:43 of the second period.
Less than two minutes later, Benn backhanded a pass from the left wing to the net that bounced off Lucas Bloodoff and past Jones that gave Kelowna 2-1 lead at the 13:33 mark of the second.
A late power play goal by the Hitmen forced overtime and it was a Kelowna power play goal that ended it in overtime.
Benn sent a cross-ice pass from to defenseman Tyson Barrie, who pinched down the left side and buried the chance 8:13 into the extra session.
The two assists gave Benn five points (two goals, three assists) in three games played in the series and he actually missed almost all of one of those games.
"Jamie was all around the net again," Huska said of Benn's play Saturday night. "He was on the scoresheet with two big assists. We missed him those games he was gone. I am not going to sit up here and say we didn't because I think he is the best power forward in the league right now."
Benn had 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 19 WHL playoff games.
Notes: Kelowna defenseman Tyler Myers was named the championship series MVP. ... The Rockets will open the Memorial Cup by playing the host team - Rimouski - on Friday at 6pm Central Time. The game will be carried on the NHL Network in the United States
| Jamie Benn WHL Championship Game Log | ||||||
|
5/9: Returned to the lineup, picking up
two assists, including the primary one on the
game-winner in overtime. 5/7: Did not play due to injury. Is listed as day-to-day. 5/6: Did not play due to injury. Is listed as day-to-day. 5/4: Did not play due to injury. He is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for Game 4. 5/2: Left the game midway through the first period after being hit hard into the end boards by Calgary defenseman Keith Seabrook, and did not return. 5/1: Scored two goals and assisted on one other. Scored a power play goal off the rush to give Kelowna a 1-0 lead. Had the primary assist on game-winning power play goal by defenseman Tyler Myers. Scored a shorthanded empty net goal to make it 3-1. |
||||||
| Date | Opponent/Result | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 5/9 | Calgary, W 3-2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 5/7 | At Calgary, L 6-1 | Did not play | ||||
| 5/6 | Vs. Calgary, L 6-2 | Did not play | ||||
| 5/4 | Vs. Calgary, W 2-0 | Did not play | ||||
| 5/2 | At Calgary, W 5-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5/1 | At Calgary, W 3-1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 | 0 |
| WHL Playoff Totals (19 GP) | 13 | 20 | 33 | +9 | 18 | |
