Vermilion Tigers sweep the St. Paul Canadiens in NEAJBHL semis; team awaits Flin Flon

Unexpected. Shocking. But playoff hockey provides that type of drama.

The St. Paul Canadiens quest for a NEAJBHL championship came to an abrupt end on Thursday night, as the Vermilion Tigers beat them 4-1 to complete a sweep over the league’s 1st place finisher.

In some ways it was revenge from last year. The Tigers were the 1-seed and lost in six games to the 4th seeded St. Paul in the 2023 post-season in a six game conclusion.

“I’m really proud of this group,” said Canadiens head coach Corey deMoissac after the game. 

“They’re one of the best group of kids I’ve ever assembled. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. Hockey is a lot like life. Sometimes you fall down. I know these guys will get back up, and away we go.”

Road challenges

Changes were there to steer the series back to St. Paul for at least Game 5.

In Game 3, the Canadiens had a dream start with William Chemago and Quinn Szpak scoring less than five minutes into the game. With a 2-0 lead, the Tigers settled down.

Wyatt Dick got one back in the 2nd period. The Tigers continued to push back, with Connor Roscoe scoring an equalizing goal in the 3rd, sending the game to overtime.

The Canadiens had the majority of the chances in the OT, but Arland Bahm in the Vermilion goal did not relent. Roscoe then on an unsuspecting shot from below the goal that careened into the net behind Mitchell Webb for a come from behind win in Game 3 for a 3-0 series lead.

St. Paul didn’t have the start they needed in Game 4.

The Tigers banged home two loose pucks in the first eleven minutes, a lead they wouldn’t look back on.

The Canadiens powerplay was able to convert on one of their 2nd period man advantage opportunities, thanks to a Chemago snipe.

But Vermilion buttoned it up in the 3rd period, Roscoe scoring again, and then an insurance goal with 3:37 left in regulation to seal it.

“They’re a good team. I knew all along they were the team I was scared of the most. They’re well-coached. Hats off to the Vermilion Tigers,” said deMoissac. 

St. Paul has been invited to the Central Canada Cup tournament in Flin Flon, which will have representatives from several western Canadian Junior B leagues for a big tournament.

“We’ll take a little break here and pick each other. This team is a tight family…we’ll be ready to go down to Flin Flon to represent not only our league, but our province and put on a show.” 

Meanwhile, the Vermilion Tigers await the winner of Wainwright and Lloydminster. They are 8-0 so far in the playoffs.