Congratulations to PuckAgency client Juha Metsola, who won Eastern Conference Finals MVP on Thursday after winning all four of his starts in a sweep of the Calgary Hitmen! Juha began the season as the backup to goaltender Michael Maniago, but emerged late in the season, winning 11 of his final 13 games and finishing with the second-lowest goals against average and fifth-highest save percentage in the Western Hockey League. Metsola also was named ADT CHL Goaltender of the week twice during his rookie season. Metsola has continued his strong play well into the playoffs as the Lethbridge Hurricanes awaiting the winner of the Western Conference Final series between Spoke and Tri-City. Metsola is a combined 32-9-1 with 6 shutouts in both the regular season and playoffs. At only 5’10” and 165 lbs, Metsola is able to cover the net well with good quickness. Juha hopes to keep playing well into May as the winner of the WHL Finals will earn a spot in the Memorial Cup to be held in Kitchener, Ontario, beginning May 16.
Lethbridge Hurricanes Win MNP WHL Eastern Conference Championship
Created: Apr 24, 2008
Created: Apr 24, 2008
METSOLA NAMED SERIES MVP — Carter Bancks scored two goals and Juha Metsola made 23 saves to lead the Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 4-2 victory over the visiting Calgary Hitmen in Game 4 of the MNP WHL Eastern Conference Championship series in Western Hockey League playoff action on Wednesday, April 23rd.
With the Game 4 victory, the Hurricanes are crowned the 2008 MNP WHL Eastern Conference Champions, having defeated the Hitmen four games to none in the best-of-seven series.
The ‘Canes will now await the winner of the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Championship series between the Spokane Chiefs and the Tri-City Americans for a meeting in the 2008 WHL Championship series and a chance to capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
Hurricanes’ goaltender Metsola, who hails from Tampere, Finland, was named the Most Valuable Player of the MNP WHL Eastern Conference Championship series.
The 19-year-old first-year WHL netminder allowed only seven goals on 89 shots for a 1.73 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage while winning all four starts of the MNP WHL Eastern Conference Championship series.
Metsola, the ‘Canes’ first-round pick at the 2007 CHL Import Draft, has won his last eight straight contests for the Hurricanes, and has recorded a 12—2 record with a 2.01 GAA and a .922 save percentage through the 2008 post-season.