The Killarney Shamrocks are Tiger Hills Hockey League champions.

Brayden Cuthbert, Aubrey Chapman and Isaac Friesen scored first period goals as the Shamrocks defeated the Carberry Plainsmen 5-0 Saturday night and swept the best-of-five final three games to one.

Killarney coach Shane Skeoch says game four was all about defense.

“I think we looked after our own end,” said the Shamrocks bench boss. “We said that right from the beginning of the puck drop – let's take care of our own end. We have lots of guys who can put the puck in the net - so that was the main thing - focus on our end and we got a few goals in the first period.

Reid Gow put the game out of reach with a pair of second period goals.

“Feels pretty good,” said Killarney goaltender Brian Archibald who recorded his second shutout of the post-season. “We had a lot of local guys on this team that have played here throughout their minor hockey careers and it's a lot of fun to win with your buddies you grew up playing with. I'm pretty happy for the guys right now.”

Archibald was also named the playoff MVP.

“It was pretty cool,” said the former Southwest Cougars netminder. “I didn't expect it. There were a lot of guys that could have got it tonight. Brayden Cuthbert was pretty unreal for us all playoffs and Reid Gow probably played 40 minutes a night and doesn't get the credit I feel he deserves. It's a pretty cool feeling. I grew up watching the Shamrocks so it's kind of nice to finish this on my first senior season.”

The Plainsmen forced game four thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Shamrocks in Carberry on Friday.

“It was tough,” said Plainsmen coach Ryan White on their loss on Saturday night. “They played hard and they definitely deserved to beat us that's for sure.”

It's the Shamrocks second THHL championship in four years.

Killarney and Carberry will compete in Hockey Manitoba's Provincial Senior “A” Championship.

The Shamrocks are in a pool with the Carillon Senior Hockey League champion Ste. Anne Aces and either the Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks or the Moosomin Rangers who are playing in the North Central Hockey League final.

The Plainsmen are in a pool with the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League champion Carman Beavers and the Manitoba Senior Hockey League champion Lac du Bonnet Blues.