Jamie Benn had four goals and an assist in Kelowna's 6-4 win over Drummondville at the Memorial Cup tonight. The win sends Kelowna to the title game Sunday night.
Benn started the scoring with a nifty shorthanded breakaway goal in the first period. Kelowna then went down 2-1 in the second period. Kelowna and Drummondville would trade goals into the third period, until Benn put the Rockets ahead for good with his game-winning power play goal.
Benn also scored two even strength goals, had the primary assist on Kelowna's second goal and came within inches of having a record-tying fifth goal. With an empty net on the other end in the final seconds of the game, Benn cleared the puck from just over his own goal line, hitting the pipe as the game ended.
I wish I could think of more to say about Benn and his incredible game tonight, but I'm afraid I'll go overboard on superlatives and not do him justice. Benn is the leader of his team, he inspires confidence in those around him and is a much more complete player than just a flashy scorer. He'll never hesitate to lay the big hit in the corner, to make the big play in the defensive zone and he's the first player on the ice to come to the aid of a teammate. He will be a special, special player for the Stars very soon.
And to think he was a fifth round draft pick.
Benn now has eight points (five goals and three assists) in two Memorial Cup games. Kelowna will face Windsor Tuesday night to complete round-robin play, before moving on to the final on Sunday.