Overtime Thrillers and Statement Wins Set the Stage for Kilgour Cup Finals

The Jr. Bandits BLL Playoffs delivered everything you could ask for—overtime thrillers, near upsets, hat tricks, and standout goaltending. With Kilgour Cup Final spots on the line, every team left it all on the floor in a night packed with intensity and heart. Here’s how the semifinal matchups unfolded across both divisions.

Grade 5/6 Semifinal #1

Rapids Survive Buffaloes in 11–10 Overtime Thriller

The top-seeded Rapids were pushed to the absolute brink by the fourth-seeded Buffaloes in a game that had upset written all over it.

Trailing 6–3 late in the second period, the Buffaloes exploded for five straight goals to take an 8–6 lead. The Rapids answered with four of the next five to pull ahead 10–9, but Carter Love wasn’t ready for his season to end. He buried his third goal of the night with just 17 seconds remaining to tie the game at 10 and force overtime.

After both teams traded quality chances in the extra frame, it was Gavin Mazur who played hero, scoring the clinching goal to send the Rapids to the Kilgour Cup Final.

In the loss, Brayden Hockwater (2+1), Xavier Papke (1+2), and Carter Love (3+0) each recorded three points.

For the Rapids, the goaltending and offense combined to get it done. Xander Ferguson was busy between the pipes, stopping 18 of 21 shots as the team faced 33 overall. Gavin Mazur delivered a dominant seven-goal performance, while Easton Carpenter added two more to help seal the dramatic win.

Grade 5/6 Semifinal #2

Blizzard Top Stampede 6–4 to Punch Championship Ticket

In a tight, defensive battle, the Blizzard did just enough to secure their spot in the final with a 6–4 win over the Stampede.

The Blizzard stormed out to a 3–0 lead and then traded goals the rest of the way. Ultimately, the Stampede’s first-period drought proved too much to overcome.

Evan Boorman led the charge for the Blizzard with a hat trick, while the goalie tandem of Brixton White and Weston Stewart combined for 12 saves on 16 shots in the victory.

For the Stampede, Sullivan Silsby, Deakin Jonathan, Lucas Stolzenberg, and Camdyn Rehwaldt each found the back of the net in a hard-fought effort.

Grade 7/8 Semifinal #1

Pythons Hold Off Glaciers 8–7 in David vs. Goliath Battle

Much like the younger division earlier in the evening, the top seed was nearly stunned.

The winless Glaciers gave the undefeated Pythons everything they could handle in a true David vs. Goliath showdown. Evan Rizzo powered the Glaciers with a hat trick, while Elliot Kraft added two goals of his own.

But the Pythons’ balanced attack proved to be the difference. Six different players scored, including multi-goal performances from Evin Sweeney and Kyle Madden.

In net, Robert Goston earned the win with 17 saves on 24 shots, while Ryder Bauer was outstanding for the Glaciers, stopping 18 of 26 in a stellar performance.

The Pythons now look to cap off their undefeated season when they battle the Thunderhawks for the Kilgour Cup next week.

Grade 7/8 Semifinal #2

Thunderhawks Rally Past Stealth 13–10 in High-Scoring Battle

This semifinal was a tale of momentum swings.

The Stealth came out firing, pouring in six first-period goals to seize early control. Tony Rebmann led the charge with a dominant five-goal performance (5+0), while Harlen Mt Pleasant added a hat trick (3+0) to keep the pressure on.

But the Thunderhawks refused to back down.

After chipping away and staying within striking distance, the Thunderhawks erupted for six goals in the third period to completely flip the script and secure the 13–10 victory. The offense was powered by two five-goal performances from Logan Stubley and Snyder Pragle, while Dominick Velardo added four points (2+2) in a balanced and explosive attack.

With the comeback win, the Thunderhawks punch their ticket to the Kilgour Cup Final in what promises to be an exciting championship matchup against the Pythons.