By Cami Kepke via Western Hockey League

RED DEER, Alta. - Spokane Chiefs prospect Adam Muntain (Regina, Sask.) posted a 24-save shutout as Saskatchewan blanked Manitoba 5-0 to close out round-robin play at the 2024 WHL Cup.

Five-foot-11, 161-pound forward Trae Peterson (Tri-City Americans / Yorkton, Sask.) also shined with a three-point effort, while Jake Hargrave (Kelowna Rockets / Lucky Lake, Sask.) posted a pair of powerplay helpers.

• GAME SUMMARY
• PLAYER STATS
• TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Saskatchewan struck first late in the opening frame as Marek McIvor (Kelowna Rockets / Davidson, Sask.) gloved down an attempted clear at the Manitoba blue line, carried the puck down low and sauced a pass over to alternate captain Blake Chorney (Vancouver Giants / Nipawin, Sask.) at the back door for a tap-in and his fourth goal of the tournament.

The boys from the Land of Living Skies doubled the lead on a second-period powerplay, with Trae Peterson winning a faceoff back before driving the net to tip a Jake Hargrave point shot home.

Peterson, who was selected in the third round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, also picked up a primary assist on captain Boston Tait’s (Wenatchee Wild / Estevan, Sask.) first goal at WHL Cup three minutes later.

In the third period, Hargrave extended Saskatchewan’s lead to 4-0 with another long shot from the point. He connected with Hargrave again to set up alternate captain Carter Moen (Swift Current Broncos / Swift Current, Sask.) for a late powerplay tally and a final score of 5-0.

With a goal and two assists, Peterson picked up Player of the Game honours for Saskatchewan, while 2024 13th overall pick Tyden Lafournaise (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Winnipeg, Man.) was recognized for Manitoba.

Muntain’s 24-save shutout marks his second win of the event as Saskatchewan improves to 2-1, while Urijah Moosetail (Brandon Wheat Kings / Brandon, Man.) stopped 39 of 44 shots at the other end of the ice.

Semifinal matchups will be determined by the outcome of British Columbia (2-0) and Alberta (1-1)’s final round-robin game at 1:15 p.m. MST today.

The Third Place vs. Second Place semifinal is set for 1:15 p.m. MST on Saturday, October 26, with the First Place vs. Fourth Place tilt set to follow at 4:00 p.m.

All games are streaming for free at Watch.CHL.ca/WHL and tickets are available at the door at Red Deer’s Peavey Mart Centrium.