DNA Swag Cup Playoff Preview

Photos: Tanya Everett/Normand Leger

Moncton NB: The DNA Swag Cup Playoffs are finally here and the cards are lining up for two fantastic series. We will be taking a deep dive into both matchups, as well as my predictions for them.

Series 1: HTHS VS MHS

In Moncton high school sports, there is no rivalry like Harrison Trimble and Moncton High. Typically known for their history of battles in football, we get to see it on the ice this time around. The Trojans have had quite the solid year, finishing with a (9-8-2-1) record. They had a very rocky start, losing 6 of their first 7, but started playing very good hockey after that. Recently, however, they have been in a bit of a slump as they are currently on a 4-game losing streak heading into the playoffs. Drew Betts leads the team in points with 38 in 20 games. His sister Annika has been very solid in net, posting a 0.895SV%. Some other standout players for the Trojans are Anson Benoite with 30 points in 20 games, captain Weston Steeves with 21 in 19, and Alim Sagadiyev, who has only recently joined the team, currently has 7 points in 7 games. For the Purple Knights, a bit of a different story. In typical MHS hockey fashion, they finish the season with a (6-14-0-0) record. It's not to say they do not have talent however, as they are led by Zack Baiani who leads the entire league in points with 49 in 20 games. Captain Read Cole has also had a fantastic season with 45 points in 19 games. Where they seem to struggle is defensively. Goaltenders Rylen Hebert and Elias Sock have pretty well split the starts this season, combining for a 0.826SV%. Hard to put the blame on them however as their defencemen struggled this year. In their season series, HTHS has won 5 of 6 games, losing their most recent battle in OT. Their games against each other have been very physical battles, and even though HTHS has blown them out multiple times this season, MHS has fought harder and harder in each rematch. It will be an interesting series for sure, however I predict the Trojans to sweep the Purple Knights 2-0 in the series. 

Series 2: RHS VS BMHS

No one really knows what to expect out of this battle of the Causeway. The Royals have spent the majority of the season in the A division with all of the French schools. They didn't win a single game after the winter break, but they have gained experience by constantly playing against faster teams, forcing them to adapt. The team ends the season with a (2-18-0-1) record. Although that looks really horrendous, they are not to be taken lightly by the Highlanders. They are led by Jack Nason, who has 14 points in 20 games. They also have the Kavanagh brothers who both have 8 points apiece. In net, Kogon Murray has actually had a solid season statistically speaking. He has a 0.874 SV% and has saved 445 of 509 shots he's faced. For the Highlanders, they've had a pretty solid season. They finish with a (9-11-1-0) record. This team has gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, as some games such Feburary 6th against the Titans, they win a 12-7 game. Then the next week against the same team, they lose 12-2. It seems like every game with this team they either score an insane amount of goals or get blown out. The games they do perform are the ones when goaltender Jaks Johnstone plays at his best. He has a 6-6 record and a 0.889SV%. In many games, he is forced to stand on his head due to the defence, similar to MHS. Draven Miller leads the team in points with 31 in 19 games. The big Liam Bishop who is known for his "Michigan goal" in the Dieppe Classic tournament, stands with 27 points in 16 games. These two teams only played each other once before the divisions split. That game was a 5-3 victory for the Highlanders. This series is going to be a very physical matchup as both teams enjoy bringing physicality to the game, especially BMHS as they are dubbed "The Bullies". I predict that the BMHS Highlanders will win the series 2-1. 

Both matchups start tonight, February 24th 2025. MHS VS HTHS is at 7:45 PM at the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex (Rink A). RHS VS BMHS is at 8:15 PM at the Byron Dobson Arena.