CALGARY, AB — The 2026 Minto Cup officially got underway Sunday at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary, with the host province making history on opening day.

For the first time, two Alberta-based teams recorded victories on the same day at the Minto Cup, as the Calgary Mountaineers and host Calgary Raiders both opened the national championship with wins.

The Mountaineers opened the tournament against the Victoria Shamrocks. The Mounties established an early lead as Calgary scored on its first five shots of the game.

Victoria responded with a strong third-period effort, but the Mountaineers held on to secure the opening victory. Ryan McDonald led Calgary offensively with two goals and three assists, while goaltender Tommy St. Louis made 33 saves to help the Mountaineers secure the win.

The second game of the day featured the host Raiders against the St. Catharines Athletics.

Calgary used a strong second period to take control of the game, outscoring St. Catharines 5–2 in the frame. The Athletics responded in the third, battling back to tie the game at 10–10 and set up a dramatic finish.

With less than four minutes remaining, Cash Frijters scored to put the Raiders back in front. Calgary held on through the final minutes to secure the victory and complete a historic opening day for Alberta lacrosse.

The 2026 Minto Cup continues Monday at the Max Bell Centre, with the Mountaineers and Raiders looking to build on their opening-day performances as teams continue their pursuit of a national championship.

The Minto Cup runs August 16–23 in Calgary, bringing together the top Junior A lacrosse teams from across Canada to compete for the national championship.

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For the latest tournament information, visit the Minto Cup Website and follow @TheMintoCup on social media.