Vipers clinch first place without playing

Metros’ victory over Red Wings gives Kensington top seed

The Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers clinched first place in the Island Junior Hockey League on Wednesday night without playing a game.

The Sherwood-Parkdale Metros’ 6-4 victory over the Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings sealed the deal for the Vipers, who will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Vipers are 18-7-5 (wonlost-overtime losses) while the second-place Red Wings are 16-12-1. After the Red Wings defeated the Vipers 5-4 in a shootout on Sunday night, Kensington needed one point or a Western loss to secure the regular-season title.

Four points

At the Cody Banks Arena, Curtis McGregor scored two goals and added two assists while affiliated player Connor McGregor had a goal and a helper to lead the Metros (1216-4), who will meet the Red Wings in a best-of-seven semifinal series.

Tanner Lund and Cody McPhee also scored for the Metros, who received single assists from Connor Smith, Nick Currie, Calen McInnis and Riley Dunphy.

Calvin McRae (2), Lucas Beaulieu (1-1) and Chasse Gallant countered for the Red Wings. Jason Gallant added three assists while single helpers went to Drake Smallman, Isaac Knox and Connor Morrissey.

The Metros held period advantages of 2-1 and 3-1. Winning goaltender Alex Kelly turned in a solid 45-save effort as the Red Wings outshot the Metros 49-32. Bronson Banks was between the pipes for the Red Wings.

The Vipers will meet the Souris-based Eastern Maniacs (5-21-1) in the other semifinal matchup. Both playoff series will open in early March.