Thrash Head to Gold Medal Game

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Brendyn Illchuk was the overtime hero, scoring 10:16 into the second extra period, asthe Winnipeg Thrashers advanced to the gold medal game at the 2011 TELUS Cup with a 4-3 semifinal win overthe Lions du Lac St-Louis on Saturday afternoon.

Illchuk picked up the puck off a won face-off by Regan Stire and slipped a shot through the legs ofFrançois Brassard to send the Thrashers to the final (Sunday, 4 p.m. NT) for the second time in four years –they lost the 2008 gold medal game to the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves.

It’s also the eighth consecutive year that the West Region champions will play for TELUS Cup gold, datingback to 2004. Six of the first seven teams won the national title, all except the ’08 Thrashers.

GDI Prairies goaltender Teagan Sacher shut down every Quebec attack from the midway point of the game on. Keeping his game simple, Sacher was a wall in net. Quebec's frustrated offense fired 25 pucks on net from every angle within the third and overtime periods before the Thrashers put the game away.

Sundays afternoon game should be a game for the ages as the Thrashers take on the London Jr. Knights.

Thrash Head to Gold Medal Game

Thrashers Hope to Harvest Telus Cup

The Winnipeg Thrashers, the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League champions, will take a run at the 2011 Telus Cup Western Regional Qualifier.

Goaltender Teagan Sacher (1.88 GAA), who led the Thrashers in the playoffs with a 7-1 record, shared regular-season duties with Alex Henry (1.90 GAA). Sacher won 19 games, Henry won 18 games.

"Defensively we're really solid. All of them have such good confidence and they don't really cough up the puck much," said Sacher, 16. "Offensively our team is really good, so getting goal support takes a lot of pressure off me. If I do let one go, I know they'll be able to get one back for me."

For more on this article by The Winnipeg Free Press Click Here.

Thrashers Hope to Harvest Telus Cup

Thrash Up 2 - 1 in Best of 5 Championship Series

The Winnipeg Thrashers AAA midget hockey team took a two games to one series lead in the championship finals with a nail biting finish as they came out with the victory against the Southwest Cougars. Take a quick look at The Winnipeg Suns insight on last game.

The Thrashers take to the ice on Thursday night in Souris. For the full schedule of the series Click Here.

GDI Prairies has mentored several goaltenders across Western Canada that are currently preparing for their run to the Telus Cup in April. For full Goalie News on each province Click Here.

Thrash Up 2 - 1 in Best of 5 Championship Series