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The Newfoundland Regiment will play their first ever playoff game on Thursday night in St. John’s, and players and coaches believe they can make a deep run for the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
The Regiment kick off their first round series against the Cape Breton Eagles in front of a home crowd at Mary Browns Centre at 7 p.m. NT.
For players like winger Blake Pilgrim-Edwards, it’s an exciting opportunity to compete for one of the top prizes in junior hockey.
“I’m really excited, and I really want to go far this year. And I think we have the team to do it,” he told CBC News Thursday.
The Regiment finished third in the eastern conference during the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) regular season, winning 38 of 64 games. The team also broke a 56-year-old attendance record for a first-year team, averaging over 5,200 fans per game.
If the team were to win the Gilles-Courteau Trophy, the Regiment would become the QMJHL representative in the four-team Memorial Cup tournament — alongside the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and the host Kelowna Rockets.
Pilgrim-Edwards said that support has pushed the team forward, and expects the playoffs atmosphere to be no different.
WATCH | The Regiment hit the ice on Thursday for a final practice before the playoffs:
Newfoundland Regiment begin their quest for QMJHL glory with first playoff game
The Newfoundland Regiment will take to the ice in front of hometown fans Thursday night as they kickoff the QMJHL playoffs against the Cape Breton Eagles. The team is riding high after finishing third in the eastern conference, and players and coaches believe they have the team to make a deep playoff run.
“Coming here, we’ve had so much support and so many people behind us,” he said. “I could never imagine, like, it would be like this … The whole city’s behind us.”
Regiment head coach Gordie Dwyer said he’s thrilled with the success the team has seen so far, and that the first season has been special to be a part of.
“The excitement around the hockey team, the excitement in the community has been tremendous. And, you know, now we’re starting the playoffs so the excitement is building again,” he said.
Newfoundland Regiment winger Blake Pilgrim-Edwards, left, and head coach Gordie Dwyer are excited to kick off the playoffs in front of hometown fans. (Katie Breen/CBC)
Cape Breton won the first five meetings between the two teams this season, while Newfoundland won the final three games including the final two games in late-February.
Dwyer said the team has played well in recent weeks leading into the playoffs.
“We’re confident in our group, and we’re confident in our abilities.”
“We know it’s going to be a really good challenge for us, but ultimately we have to be ready and we’ll play to our strengths.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday in St. John’s before the series moves to Cape Breton on Tuesday.
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