The Calgary Canucks have gone 3-1-0 in four games in the Preliminary Round at the 2025 Centennial Cup, locking down first place in Group B while clinching a bye to the upcoming semifinals.
“We’ve been struggling with our starts, and we haven’t been scoring the first goal, but to rebound quickly was huge for us. Battling back and coming out as hard as we did was good for the group, “ said forward Jack Plandowski.
The 15th-ranked Calgary Canucks in the CJHL rankings finished first among all ten teams in the Centennial Cup preliminary round and will get set to play in Saturday’s semifinal game, kicking off at 4:00 PM at Ken Bracko Arena.
“We had a better start, got back to details, got rolling, and that’s when we’re good,” said Head Coach Brad Moran on his team’s play in game four at the national championship.”We knew what was on the line, and we were able to come through. And I think it was good for us to have that meaningful game.”
Preliminary Round Recap:
Thursday, May 8 vs Melfort Mustangs, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL)
The Melfort Mustangs opened the scoring early in the game, netting a power-play goal just 3:12 seconds into the first period. The Canucks, trailing late in the opening period, found the back of the net thanks to Luc Trevors, who sped past the Mustangs defense and scored with just 21 seconds remaining.
Early into the second period, Riley Bracko tapped in a Nathan Maloney pass and put the Canucks ahead 2-1. With Hayden Fechner sealing the victory in the third, with an empty-net goal, leading to a win for the Canucks in game one of the Centennial Cup.
It was a hard-fought game in the rematch of the 2024 Centennial Cup Semifinals, as the Canucks locked it down in the third period with Lukas Renaud turning aside 28 shots for his club.
Saturday, May 10 vs Braves de Valleyfield, Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Québec (LHJQ)
Trailing 2-0 late in the first, the Canucks got some life from Rhett Melnyk who scored on the powerplay, followed by the game tying goal from Hayden Fechner bringing a 2-2 game into the second period.
The Canucks power play continued to impress as they scored three more powerplay goals in the second period. The goals came from Gavin Schmidt, Jack Plandowski—who also scored his second goal of the game at even strength—and Nathan Maloney, who capped off the period with the seventh goal for the Canucks.
The Braves wouldn’t go away easily as they added four more goals in the last two periods, led by Centennial Cup goal leader James Swan, who scored four times in this game.
But the Canucks were able to keep answering in the third period, adding four more goals themselves. Riley Bracko scored 57 seconds into the final period, while three more goals came from Nolan DuPont, Maloney, and Fechner in the 11-6 win.
Sunday, May 11 vs Rockland Nationals, Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)
The Canucks would fall to the CCHL Champions 7-2 in game three, putting Calgary into a must-win situation for game four in a competitive Group B. Rhys Jamieson broke the Nats shutout bid in the third, while Jack Plandowski scored the second Canucks goal.
“I think yesterday we didn’t play our best, and that kind of leaked into our game today. I just don’t think we came to the rink prepared, and obviously that’s what we want to focus on next game. I wouldn’t say we didn’t try, but we kind of gave up after a few of the goals. This is a national championship, and after a game like this, we just have to leave it in the past, switch the channel, and we’re on to the next one,” said forward Rhys Jamieson in his post-game interview with the CJHL.
Tuesday, May 13 vs Edmundston Blizzard, Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL)
Trailing 1-0 to the Blizzard in the first period, Nathan Maloney would create some magic with a backhand shot to tie this game at 1-1. Next up, Jack Plandowski would strike twice, putting the Nucks up 3-1 in just under three minutes.
To end the first period, Captain Bowden Singleton would rip one from the point to cap off an electric first period, making it 4-1.
In the second period, Hayden Fechner scored on a penalty shot, bringing the score to 5-1. This came moments after Lukas Renaud made a crucial save on a penalty shot for the Blizzard.
Edmundston scored before the end of the period, reducing the Canucks’ lead to 5-2.
13 seconds into the third period, Gavin Schmidt made quick work and put the Canucks up 6-2. Later Riley Bracko would score, followed by Plandowski completing his hat trick on the powerplay in a 8-2 win the Canucks last game in the preliminary round locking down first place in Group B.
Player Spotlight – #10 – Jack Plandowski
Jack Plandowski leds the Canucks at the 2025 Centennial Cup with six goals, putting him in second for goals in tournament scoring. The Canucks forward helped his team in game four with a pair of quick goals in the first period and added on with a hat trick to end the game.
“You’re just happy to get the win. But to help out offensively is always great, so it feels really good,” said the Canucks forward.
Plandowski was named Player of the Game for the Canucks in the final game of preliminary play helping his team rebound and clinching a bye to the upcoming semifinals.
Key Players and Stats, Preliminary Round:
Goals: Jack Plandowski – 6G
Assists: Nathan Maloney, Bowden Singleton – 6A
Points: Nathan Maloney – 9P
Goaltending: Lukas Renaud – 2-1-0, 0.897 SV%, 3.18 GAA
Upcoming Game:
Upcoming Events:
Junior Hockey Honky Tonk Revival (18+)
Tonight: Thursday, May 15, 2025: Ranchmans Calgary, Doors open at 6:00 PM
Mackenzie Grafton
Lead, Marketing Content
Calgary Canucks Junior A Hockey Club
mgrafton@calgarycanucks.ca
