Field now set for Memorial Cup

Swift Current wins WHL title in 6 games

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Giorgio Estephan scored the winner less than seven minutes into the first period and Stuart Skinner made 31 saves for the shutout as the Swift Current Broncos stymied the Everett Silvertips 3-0 on Sunday night en route to advancing to the Memorial Cup.

Swift Current won the Western Hockey League final series 4-2 to capture its third Ed Chynoweth Cup — its first since 1993.

Estephan’s goal came on the power play for the Broncos at 6:41 in the first.

Aleksi Heponiemi and Beck Malenstyn, into an empty net, also scored for Swift Current.

Skinner’s shutout was his league-leading sixth of the playoffs.

The Broncos’ Glenn Gawdin, who had 32 points in 24 post-season games, was named the WHL’s playoff MVP.

Carter Hart turned aside 22 shots for Everett in defeat.

Swift Current, whose playoff roster features 17-year-old defenceman Connor Horning of Kelowna and forward prospect Ben King of Vernon (who turns 16 today), will open the four-team Memorial Cup tournament against the QMJHL champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Saturday.

The OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs will face the host Regina Pats on Friday.

Hamilton and Acadie-Bathurst advanced on Sunday, with the Bulldogs beating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5-4 in Game 6 of the Ontario Hockey League final, while the Titan prevailed 2-1 over the BlainvilleBoisbriand Armada in Game 6 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final.