The Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs are the 2023 Veterans Cup Champions for the second straight year.

The Bulldogs defeated the Capstone Colts 5-1 on Saturday in game 7 of the series. Ethan Twolan scored twice and picked up an assist, while Bulldogs captain Sam Grant had a goal and an assist in the contest. The assist brought Grant’s playoff leading total to 14. Darren Waterman and Jack Hayne also scored for Antigonish on their way to the win.

Game 7 was played on Antigonish home ice after they couldn’t take care of business on the road in game 6. After the loss, Bulldogs head coach David Cusack spoke about what it meant to play the deciding game at home.

“I think they’ll come ready to play and jump on them right on the first drop of the puck and be good to go,” said Cusack.

He wasn’t wrong. The Bulldogs led 3-0 after two periods and were constantly pressuring the colts all over the ice. The Colts only managed to get 14 shots on goal, compared to the Bulldogs 36.

The win moves Antigonish into the Don Johnson Memorial Cup, where they will take on the Liverpool Privateers on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. The tournament will decide the top junior hockey team in Atlantic Canada.

Cusack feels fortunate to have so many players who have been to the tournament before. He knows they will be able to prepare the ones who haven’t for what’s to come.

“It’s great to have guys that are returning from last year who were at the event last year. It’s very tough and pretty grueling for the players,” said Cusack.

He trusts that players like Grant will be able to lead the team through those grueling moments.

“With Sam, he’s our captain, he leads the team in every way and we fully expect he knows what he has to do,” said Cusack.