Andrew McCarron capped off a memorable Red Cup by scoring both the tying and winning goals to lead his Riverview Redmen to their first championship title since 2013 with a 4-3 victory over Cole Harbour’s Auburn Drive Eagles.

McCarron drove the standing room only crowd of about 1,200 fans into a frenzy when he evened the game at 3-3 with less than six minutes left in the third period. From that point on the host Redmen played like a team possessed and were finally rewarded for their dominance when McCarron scored the winning goal with just 1:16 remaining on the clock.

The ending was a dream come true for the 17-year-old Grade 12 student from Coxheath who dedicated the tournament to the memory of his grandfather, Terry McCarron, who passed away last summer at the age of 80.

The big forward, who didn’t make the Redmen in his Grade 10 year, was one of many returning players who suffered the agony of defeat in 2018 when they lost the title game 5-0 to Halifax West. McCarron scored a Cape Breton High School Hockey League-leading 27 goals this season as Riverview finished with a 17-1-0-0 record.

But he wasn’t the only happy Redmen player on Sunday. Captain Dylan MacDonald was only too thrilled to hoist the Red Cup following the victory. MacDonald and McCarron, who led the Red Cup in scoring, were named the tournament’s co-MVPs, while Riverview goalie Michael MacMullen was named the competition’s top goalie.

The visitors opened the scoring early in the first period on the first of Hunter Canning’s two goals before Carter Harnish evened the affair just 19 seconds later. Blake Cox gave the hosts the lead with a power play goal before the first period was finished.

Auburn scored the only goal of the second period when defenceman Logan Gillis bulged the twine behind MacMullen. Then, in the third period, the Eagles took the lead on Canning’s second of the game.

Cue the comeback. Cue McCarron’s wicked wrist shot.

His game-tying goal sent the crowd into a frenzy and his game-winning goal, a blistering shot that caught the top corner of the net, was met with even more cheering and applause, the majority of it coming from the students’ sea of red area behind the Redmen bench.

In Sunday’s consolation, the Glace Bay Panthers suffered a 4-2 loss to the Lockview Dragons.

Lockview captain Jack Meek led the way with a hat trick and Ben Hicks added a single. Xavier Johnson and Connor MacIntyre replied for Glace Bay.

Ty Allison stopped 18 shots in the win, while Coleton Boutilier made 26 saves in the loss.

Andrew McCarron capped off a memorable Red Cup by scoring both the tying and winning goals to lead his Riverview Redmen to their first championship title since 2013 with a 4-3 victory over Cole Harbour’s Auburn Drive Eagles.

McCarron drove the standing room only crowd of about 1,200 fans into a frenzy when he evened the game at 3-3 with less than six minutes left in the third period. From that point on the host Redmen played like a team possessed and were finally rewarded for their dominance when McCarron scored the winning goal with just 1:16 remaining on the clock.

The ending was a dream come true for the 17-year-old Grade 12 student from Coxheath who dedicated the tournament to the memory of his grandfather, Terry McCarron, who passed away last summer at the age of 80.

The big forward, who didn’t make the Redmen in his Grade 10 year, was one of many returning players who suffered the agony of defeat in 2018 when they lost the title game 5-0 to Halifax West. McCarron scored a Cape Breton High School Hockey League-leading 27 goals this season as Riverview finished with a 17-1-0-0 record.

But he wasn’t the only happy Redmen player on Sunday. Captain Dylan MacDonald was only too thrilled to hoist the Red Cup following the victory. MacDonald and McCarron, who led the Red Cup in scoring, were named the tournament’s co-MVPs, while Riverview goalie Michael MacMullen was named the competition’s top goalie.

The visitors opened the scoring early in the first period on the first of Hunter Canning’s two goals before Carter Harnish evened the affair just 19 seconds later. Blake Cox gave the hosts the lead with a power play goal before the first period was finished.

Auburn scored the only goal of the second period when defenceman Logan Gillis bulged the twine behind MacMullen. Then, in the third period, the Eagles took the lead on Canning’s second of the game.

Cue the comeback. Cue McCarron’s wicked wrist shot.

His game-tying goal sent the crowd into a frenzy and his game-winning goal, a blistering shot that caught the top corner of the net, was met with even more cheering and applause, the majority of it coming from the students’ sea of red area behind the Redmen bench.

In Sunday’s consolation, the Glace Bay Panthers suffered a 4-2 loss to the Lockview Dragons.

Lockview captain Jack Meek led the way with a hat trick and Ben Hicks added a single. Xavier Johnson and Connor MacIntyre replied for Glace Bay.

Ty Allison stopped 18 shots in the win, while Coleton Boutilier made 26 saves in the loss.

Kinnon Williams scored the overtime winner at 7:03 of the extra frame to lead the Riverview Redmen past the Avon View Avalanche in Red Cup Showcase action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre on Friday.

Williams, who was invited to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles training camp last August, was left all alone in front of the Avalanche net and made no mistake, beating Avon View netminder Joe MacDonald to give the host Redmen the extra point.

Dylan MacDonald and Andrew McCarron scored goals in regulation time for the Redmen (2-0) in front of more than 1,000 fans at the Coxheath venue.

Matt Benedict and Dan Lord netted goals for the Avalanche (0-1).

Michael MacMullen picked up in the win in goal for Riverview. MacDonald shouldered the loss for Avon View. Statistics were not available.

After a scoreless first period, which saw the Redmen have three breakaways all of which were stopped by MacDonald, the Avalanche opened the scoring with goals by Benedict and Lord, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead heading into the second intermission.

Riverview cut the Avon View lead to one at 7:09 of the third period with McCarron’s third goal of the tournament.

With the net empty, Redmen captain Dylan MacDonald’s shot was thought to have hit the post behind Joe MacDonald with 21 seconds left and played continued for a brief second, before the on-ice official signaled the puck had crossed the goal line, tying the game 2-2.

In overtime, both Riverview and Avon View had a number of quality chances to win the game, before Williams potted the overtime winner.

Final shot totals were not available.

Lockview Dragons 6, Memorial Marauders 1

Jack Meek scored twice to lead the Dragons to the win over Marauders.

Brayden Hunt, Cameron Best, Ryan MacDonald and Ryan DeWolfe also scored goals for Lockview (1-0).

Mackenzie Erickson had the lone goal for the Memorial (0-2).

Ty Allison picked up the win in goal for Lockview. Jonathan Dolomont was tagged with the loss for Memorial.

Andrew McCarron had two goals and an assist to lead the Riverview Redmen to a 5-0 win over the Memorial Marauders during opening day of the Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre on Thursday.

Dylan MacDonald, Kinnon Williams and Blake Cox also scored goals for the Redmen (1-0) in front of more than 1,000 fans at the Coxheath venue.

Ryan Tanner posted the shutout between the pipes for the Redmen. Spencer Shebib shouldered the loss for the Marauders. Statistics were not available.

Riverview opened the scoring early in the contest with captain MacDonald netting his first goal of the tournament at 13:37 of the first period, sending the crowd into a frenzy. McCarron added to the lead minutes later, making the score 2-0 for the home team.

The Redmen added to their lead in the second period with a goal by Williams at 10:39 of the frame, before Cox scored his first of the tournament in the third period, giving Riverview a 4-0 lead. McCarron scored his second goal of the game late in the third period to secure the win for the Redmen.

Shots on goal were not available.

Colin Rosta scored twice for the Panthers (1-0) while Matthew MacIntosh and Austin Parsons added single markers.

Nick Pastuck, Justin Thistle and Ashten Dawson replied with goals for the Wildcats (0-1).

Colten Boutilier picked up the win in goal for the Panthers. Donny GooGoo was tagged with the loss for the Wildcats.

The 41st annual Red Cup Showcase will continue on Friday with four games on the schedule.

Memorial will play the Lockview Dragons of Fall River, N.S., at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Auburn Drive Eagles of Cole Harbour, N.S., playing Sydney Academy at 3:30 p.m., and Glace Bay facing the Horton Griffins of Wolfville, N.S. at 5:30 p.m. The day will wrap up with the host Redmen playing the Avon View Avalanche of Windsor, N.S., at 7:30 p.m.

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When Andrew McCarron steps on the ice at the County rink, he can’t help but notice the absence of a special person in the stands.

McCarron is the grandson of the late Terry McCarron, who won many provincial hockey championships and had the opportunity to play in the New York Rangers junior farm system with the Guelph Biltmores of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1953.

Unfortunately, Terry McCarron died on Aug. 25, 2018, after a battle with cancer. He was 80.

“Every game he’s been in the back of my mind,” said Andrew McCarron of his grandfather. “He’s been my best hockey role model since I was a kid, so I’m playing every game for him.”

McCarron always finds himself looking to the stands at the Coxheath venue, to the spot where his grandfather used to sit to watch him play his minor hockey.

“You remember little things like that and it’s definitely a boost on the ice because you know he’s watching somewhere, and I want to make him proud.”

Bio

Andrew McCarron

• Hometown: Coxheath, N.S.
• Age: 17
• Position: Forward
• Education: Grade 12
• Experience: He’s played with the Riverview Redmen for the past two seasons

The 17-year-old McCarron will suit up for the Riverview Redmen this weekend when the team hosts the 41st annual Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre.

McCarron appeared in his first Red Cup Showcase last February. Unfortunately, the Redmen were unable to win the event, losing 5-0 to the Halifax West Warriors in the high school hockey tournament’s championship game.

“It would be amazing to win the tournament this year in my graduating year,” said McCarron. “You feel for the Grade 12s last year because we weren’t able to get the job done for them — winning this tournament would be a lifelong memory.”

Riverview has had plenty of success this season, finishing in first place in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League standings with a 17-1-0-0 record and winning both the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold and Panther Classic tournament titles.

McCarron, who didn’t make the Redmen in his Grade 10 year, has been a huge part of the club’s success, finishing the regular season with a league-leading 27 goals and 47 points.

“I just want to do what I can to help my team win,” said McCarron. “I want to be able to help Riverview win and at the end of the tournament, if we’re champions, that’s all that matters.”

The Redmen have 10 returning players from last year’s Red Cup team, which McCarron believes will be beneficial for the club at this year’s event.

“We can’t take teams lightly,” said McCarron. “We’re going to come out and play every game like we really want to win.”

Riverview opened the tournament Thursday night against the Memorial Marauders. The score result was not available at press time.

The Redmen will play Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Avon View Avalanche of Windsor, N.S. The Coxheath-based team will also play the Lockview Dragons of Fall River, N.S., at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The consolation and championship games are slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Although his late grandfather never had the opportunity to watch him play live in the Red Cup Showcase, McCarron believes he’ll be watching every minute of the tournament this year.

“He was sick and couldn’t make the Red Cup last year,” said McCarron. “I know he’ll have a front row seat this year.”

Dylan MacDonald has no regrets playing his final season of high school hockey with the Riverview Redmen, but admits the time went by quickly.

The Grade 12 team captain says he doesn’t know what emotions this weekend will bring when he steps on the ice for his final Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre.

“Red Cup is the biggest thing of the whole school year, so knowing this is the last time I will play in the tournament feels weird,” said MacDonald, a Sydney resident.

“The whole school comes out to support us and it really brings everyone together and really shows the community our school spirit.”

The 41st annual Red Cup Showcase will officially kick off Thursday, running until Sunday at the Coxheath venue.

The Redmen will be joined in the Red Division by the Memorial Marauders of Sydney Mines, Lockview Dragons of Fall River, N.S., and the Avon View Avalanche of Windsor, N.S.

In the White Division, Cape Breton representatives the Glace Bay Panthers and Sydney Academy Wildcats will be joined by the Auburn Drive Eagles of Cole Harbour, N.S., and the Horton Griffins of Wolfville, N.S.

Red Cup Showcase Schedule:

Cape Breton County Recreation Centre, Coxheath

Red Division: Riverview Redmen, Memorial Marauders, Lockview Dragons and Avon View Avalanche

White Division: Glace Bay Panthers, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Auburn Drive Eagles and Horton Griffins

Thursday

• 6 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay
• 8 p.m. – Riverview vs. Memorial

Friday

• 1:30 p.m. – Lockview vs. Memorial
• 3:30 p.m. – Auburn Drive vs. Sydney Academy
• 5:30 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Horton
• 7:30 p.m. – Riverview vs. Avon View

Saturday

• 10 a.m. – Horton vs. Auburn Drive
• 12 p.m. – Lockview vs. Avon View
• 2 p.m. – Horton vs. Sydney Academy
• 4 p.m. – Memorial vs. Avon View
• 6 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Auburn Drive
• 8 p.m. – Riverview vs. Lockview

Sunday

• 1 p.m. – Consolation Game
• 3 p.m. – Championship Game

Redmen head coach Jimmy Smith believes it’s important for his team to get off to good start in the tournament by winning the opening game against the Memorial Marauders on Thursday.

“There’s no room in the format for errors,” said the veteran bench boss. “If you lose in the round robin you could be out of the final, so basically my only concern is that we’re focused and that we play our game.

“Memorial’s team record is misleading, they have a good team and they have some really good veteran players and two good goaltenders — and goaltending can do some strange things, especially in an important game.”

Riverview has had a successful season to date.

The club sits first overall in the four-team Cape Breton High School Hockey League standings with an 17-1-0-0 record and has captured both the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold and Panther Classic tournament titles.

“In these tournaments, league standings don’t really mean a lot because you’re playing teams from the mainland and it determines how good the competition is going to be,” said Smith.

“We haven’t seen Auburn Drive and Lockview — two of the bigger schools — so we’ll have to see what they bring and see how we match up.”

The Redmen have 10 returning players from last year’s team, which suffered a 5-0 loss to the Halifax West Warriors in the Red Cup Showcase final last February, something MacDonald hasn’t forgotten.

“It was embarrassing losing to those guys in front of our fans and everyone,” said MacDonald, noting it’s a dream come true for him to be the club’s captain in his graduating year.

“I don’t think losing is an option this year — we want to take it all.”

The tournament will begin Thursday with Glace Bay playing Sydney Academy at 6 p.m., followed by the Redmen and Marauders at 8 p.m.

Riverview will continue the tournament on Friday when they take on Avon View at 7:30 p.m., before wrapping up the round robin on Saturday at 8 p.m. against Lockview.

“You can expect to win, but to a certain extent,” said MacDonald. “You can’t go into a game and think it’s going to be easy. We may have the crowd behind us, but the other team has the same crowd watching, so they want to play their best to beat us in front of them.”

The consolation game is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by the championship game at 3 p.m.