Calgary Raiders Win Minto Cup

The 2026 Minto Cup came down to a winner-take-all game 3 and it was the Alberta champs the Calgary (Okotoks) Raiders coming away with a 9-6 victory over the B.C. champs the Victoria Shamrocks. It is the first Minto Cup for Alberta so congratulations to them.

Starting in goal for the Shamrocks once again was Greyson Beggs and for Calgary Nathan Whittom. It was the Raiders getting off to a flying start, scoring the first 5 goals of the game, almost the reverse of game 2. Luke McNamara tallied from outside the dotted line at 3:25. That was followed by Cole Morris finding twine at 4:37. Wyatt Viste made it 3-0 on a Raiders power play at 8:11 and 28 seconds later it was Morris getting his second with a quick stick from just outside the crease. That was the end of the night for Beggs as he was replaced by Angus Snow in the Shamrocks crease. Dylan Belliveau made it 5-0 Calgary on another power play, taking a pass from behind the net at 11:19. Jett Klassen finally got Victoria on the board at 12:12, cutting to the net. Justus Cutler replied at 13:08 on a run sending the Raiders to the dressing room after 20 minutes with a 6-1 lead.

The Rocks got off to a better start in the middle frame. Evan Mcdougall got a power play goal at 1:20 from the dotted line. Jaden Roach added a shorthanded marker at 6:48 with a hard, low shot from outside the dotted line to get within 3 but the Raiders answered with a 3 goal run. Cash Frijters scored at 9:03 from the crease. Benjamin Pousak was also perilously close to being in the crease when he scored at 14:42 and Viste picked up his second of the contest at 19:17 from outside the dotted line. That made it 9-3 after 40 minutes and Calgary held a 35-23 edge in shots on goal.

Victoria tried to claw back in the final period, scoring all 3 goals. Ryan Lowe connected at 10:23 from behind the net. Parson Shahi got his first goal of the tournament at 12:39 and Marcelo Carreiro picked up the final goal of the game at 13:19 to close the gap to 3. It was as close as they could come.

For the Shamrocks their captain Greysen Thompson had 3 assists. Jett Klassen, Ryan Lowe and Marcelo Carreiro each had a goal and 1 helper. Evan Macdougall and Tier 1 Jr. B call-ups Jaden Roach and Parson Shahi all had singles. Angus Snow stopped 33 of 38 shots in relief of Greyson Beggs.

Calgary got a 5-point game from Dylan Belliveau on a goal and 4 assists. Wyatt Viste and Cole Morris each had a pair of goals and 1 helper.

Victoria will host the 2027 Minto Cup but will do so without a number of players from this year’s team as they age out. If I might add a personal comment, it has been a great pleasure and privilege to watch and support this group of young men over the past few years as they came together. I look forward to seeing those returning players compete next year for a Canadian championship on their home floor.

- Janice Huckin