The Navan Grads defeated the Smiths Falls Bears 5-2 in Game 6 to capture their first Bogart Cup Wednesday night.
The Grads fended off early pressure from the Bears, thanks in large part to goaltender Jaeden Nelson, who was later named playoff MVP, to go along with his CCHL Top Prospect Award the Ottawa 67’s draft pick claimed earlier in the year.
The goals then followed for the Grads. Sporting a 2-0 lead, the Grads salted the game away scoring twice on a double minor high sticking penalty taken by Bears forward Quinn Booth, doubling their advantage before making it 5-0 shortly after. Smiths Falls scored twice in the ladder half of the third period but by then it was too late to storm back.
The Navan Grads are the 2023-24 Bogart Cup champions with a 5-2 win over Smiths Falls in Game 6. #CCHL pic.twitter.com/ucBF5mBhfv
— Grant (@grantdeme) May 2, 2024
Nelson made 27 saves in the win.
The Grads will now head to Oakville to take part in the Centennial Cup, the annual tournament featuring Jr. A league champions country-wide to decide who’s the best club in the nation.
The Bears have now lost the Bogart Cup Final in consecutive seasons.
Story by Grant Deme