Not only to see their provincial team win, but also to cheer on Warriors goaltender Dylan Ernst, who had evolved into Saskatchewan's big-game goaltender.
Ernst proved to be up to the task and then some, as he turned aside 23 shots and was named a tournament all-star after Team Sask's 4-2 win over Manitoba in the final.
“I don't know, words can't describe what I'm feeling right now,” Ernst said on WHL.ca. “We came into this tournament as underdogs and took the championship, it's just a great moment right now... It means so much to me, we just represented our province well, worked hard and came out with the dub.”
Tye Spencer, Vaughn Watterodt, Kylynn Olafson and Eric Johnston all scored for Saskatchewan, while Tyson Zimmer and Conor Geekie had Manitoba's goals. Warriors 2019 first-round pick Denton Mateychuk had an assist in the contest while fellow Warriors pick Luke Robson was held off the scoresheet.
Saskatchewan advanced to the final by upsetting Alberta 5-3 in the semifinal, with Ernst – a signed Kamloops Blazers prospect – stopping 27 shots in the win.
“It's been one of the best experiences of my life, definitely,” he said. “Good coaches, great teammates, just a great tournament.”
Mateychuk was also named a tournament All-Star after finishing tied for second in tournament scoring three goals and seven points.
The bronze medal game saw B.C. and WHL Warriors prospect Kyle Kelsey defeat Alberta 5-4 in overtime. Kelsey turned aside 31 shots to earn the victory.
