TIE SENDS THRASHERS TO TELUS CUP SEMIFINALS

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Rory Court and Brendyn Illchuk scored goals early in the second period to give their team the lead and the Winnipeg Thrashers held off a late charge to earn a 3-3 tie with the Halifax Titans onFriday afternoon.

The single point was enough to move the Thrashers through to Saturday’s semifinals, but the Titans needed a win to play on the weekend, and saw their season come to an end.

Knowing two points was their only option the Titans struck early when Jeremy Butterworth beat Teagan Sacher at 7:23 of the first period, but the Thrashers struck right back just 45 seconds later, with Corey Petrash doing the honours.

The early stages of the second period belonged to Winnipeg – Court and Illchuk gave the Thrashers their first lead, and a little early insurance with goals less than five minutes apart – but the Titans fought back late in the middle frame, pulling to within one when Adam Brown roofed a shot over the shoulder of Sacher.

Damon MacEachern brought the game back to even midway through the third period, slipping a shot along the ice and past Sacher, but the Titans needed two goals, not one, to extend their season.

Knowing it needed a victory, Halifax pulled its goaltender in the final minute but could not get the game-winner.

Winnipeg will wait for the result of Friday’s preliminary round finale between St. John’s and Lac St-Louis before it finds out who it will play, and when, on Saturday.