VANBERG CUP

The Vanberg Cup - that's what's on the line Saturday night in Lacombe as the Generals and the Crush meet to determine this year's winner and who will represent the NCHL in next week's (April 7-10) Alberta Senior AA Provincials hosted by the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs.  The Wainwright Rustlers have qualified as the Alberta champion of the Saskalta League and the Nanton Palominos have claimed the Ranchland title.  Hockey Alberta today announced that the Ranchland Hockey League has been suspended from all activities because they did not include the Innisfail Eagles in their playoff process.  As a result, all RHL teams are prohibited from playing any further hockey this season, including the Provincials.  It isn't known at this time which team Hockey Alberta will invite to the tournament.

Game 5 sudden death finals don't come around very often in the NCHL.  Coincidentally, the last time we saw a 5 game final series was back in 2017-2018, when previous versions of these same teams (Daysland and Eckville) met in a classic 1 vs 2 five game series.  In much the same scenario, the 2nd place Northstars upset the 1st place Eagles in Eckville to capture their 3rd straight Vanberg Cup title.  Two seasons ago, these teams met up in the quarterfinals where they also went the full five games before Daysland won game 5 at home.  To date this season, the Crush and the Generals have met 6 times with Lacombe coming out on top in 4 of the games.  Lacombe has only lost one game at home in this season's playoffs, while the Crush are 4-2 on the road.

With the exception of games on Oct 16 (4-1 Lacombe) and March 25 (9-4 Camrose), all other games between these teams have been decided by one goal.  In fact, Crush tender Connor Dobberthien and Generals stopper Mac Engel have both been named one of the game's 3 stars in 3 of the 4 games to date, and there's no reason to think that will change with game 5.  One thing we do know, is that the Morinville King's extended reign as defending NCHL champs will end on Saturday.

Whose name will be added on Saturday?

The Vanberg Cup will be on display until the 2nd intermission at the admission table at Gary Moe Arena on Saturday. 

Good luck to both teams!