Trojans triumph

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This article was published 05/03/2025 (199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Vincent Massey Trojans were the team to beat all season, and in the end, they were the ones to win it all.

Powered by a championship-clinching goal from forward Sam Kinnear 4:38 into overtime, the Trojans captured the first men’s city title in program history with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Westwood Warriors in Game 2 of the Winnipeg High School Hockey League final at Seven Oaks Arena on Wednesday.

Vincent Massey swept the best-of-three series 2-0 and finished a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs.

They were the league’s top team during the regular season.

“I just absolutely ripped it,” said Kinnear, who made no mistake from a point-blank look in the slot. “Boys were buzzing. Went up, gloves in the air and all of a sudden I was up against the glass while my buddies are hugging me.”

Aiden Dilay was named series MVP for the Trojans. Warriors goaltender Carter Sigurdson was named series MVP for Westwood after another solid performance in Game 2, stopping 16 of 20 shots to keep his team in the game.

Vincent Massey has won with a tight-checking defence all season, allowing a league-low 39 goals during the 24-game regular season and 11 goals in six playoff contests.

Trojans goaltender Aapo Tuominen capped a sensational playoff run by stopping 17 of 20 shots in the series-clinching victory.

“I’ve never met a group of kids who have gelled so fast, and so well, in my two years,” said Trojans head coach Ben Kirton. “These kids are best friends, on and off the ice, which makes it a lot easier. There’s no cliques, there’s no certain groups… it’s a brotherhood, which is nice.

“That’s where 100 per cent of our success comes from, was just everyone bought in together. Just a complete team.”

After a scoreless opening period, the Trojans struck in the opening minute of the second frame on a power-play goal from Rhett Forbes.

Cole Warsaba replied later in the frame for Westwood before Carson Robertson scored again for Massey to take a 2-1 lead into the final period.

Westwood’s season was slipping away after Colby Bru scored what appeared to be an insurance for the Trojans, but a late marker from Warsaba offered some hope for Westwood, then 74 seconds later, Gavin Salamacha went post-and-in to tie the game at 3-3.

Kinnear’s goal in the extra frame prevented the Warriors from completing the comeback.

“Our message from the coaches to the players is just staying level-headed. Doesn’t matter if we go up 5-0 or down 5-0, you got to ride the wave,” said Kirton. “Playoffs get extra emotional, and you just can’t let the emotions get the best of you.”

As for the Warriors, their program’s city championship total remains at one (2010) after losing the final for the second year in a row, but their season isn’t over as the Mantioba High School Athletic Association provincial tournament goes March 14-17 back at Seven Oaks Arena.

“For the first time in a while, because of the way the game ended, I didn’t really have many words for them, aside from I was proud of them for the way they battled back,” said Warriors head coach Steve Christie. “I didn’t really bring up what’s ahead because it’s just this moment stings right now.”

Vincent Massey and Westwood will both be at the provincial tourney as WHSHL finalists. So, too, will the host River East Kodiaks. The Vincent Massey (Brandon) Vikings, who finished as the top team in the Westman League, and the Morden Thunder, who were the top school from the Zone IV League, have also qualified.

The final seed will be the winner of Sunday’s wild-card contest between the Springfield Sabres and St. Paul’s Crusaders. Puck drop is 4 p.m. at Seven Oaks.

“Our whole goal this year was to go three-for-three: win the Husky (Classic), win the city championship and then go for provincials,” said Kinnear.

“Job’s not finished. We’re two-for-three, going for three-for-three now.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca