OMHA series now a best-of-three; Game 6 in St. Marys Sunday
By Pat Payton
It started as a best-of-seven OMHA ‘BB’ playoff series. It’s now been reduced to a best-of-three.
On Sunday night at the PRC, Mooretown Jr. Flags defeated the Royal Canadian Legion Minor Midgets 5-1, tying the best-of-seven set at two games apiece.
Game 5 is this Saturday in Mooretown at 5:25 p.m. Game 6 is Sunday back in St. Marys, starting at 7 p.m.
“We have to win in Mooretown again,” Rock coach Owen Penney said after Sunday’s game. “It’s a matter of using our speed and pressuring the puck in deep and forcing their defence to make mistakes in their own zone.”
Jr. Flags capitalize
In Game 4 last Sunday, the Jr. Flags capitalized on their chances and the Legion Midgets did not. The hard-hitting, feisty contest was closer than the 5-1 score might indicate.
The Rock had all the early scoring opportunities, including several on a 5-on-3 powerplay early in the second period. Shortly after, Mooretown defenceman Blake Howard opened the scoring on a powerplay. And just over a minute later, Howard struck again–making it 2-0. Just before the intermission break, Hunter Round made it 3-0 for the Jr. Flags.
The Legion crew were looking for a quick start in the third, but it was the visitors who got it. Gavin Gray scored just 36 seconds into the period to put Mooretown ahead 4-0. Round tacked on the Jr. Flags’ fifth goal on a powerplay at 4:23.
Mooretown goalie Luc Thorne-Smith had a strong game, continually making big stops for his team. St. Marys centreman Blake Boreham spoiled his shutout bid with just 3:52 to play.
“We were getting good chances tonight and huge rebounds from him, but we couldn’t seem to find that extra little inch to put the puck in the net,” coach Penney said. “I thought we deflated a lot after Mooretown scored their first goal . . . our hearts sunk a little bit.
“They capitalized on their chances, and that was definitely the difference 100 per cent tonight.”
Eight of the 14 minor penalties went to the Jr. Flags.
Defenceman Scott McClelland was called up from the ANAF ‘BB’ Bantams for both weekend games.
Three third-period goals
In Game 3 Saturday in Mooretown, the Legion Midgets scored three unanswered third-period goals to claim a 4-1 victory.
“We came out real hard in the third and got an early goal, and then got another one right away,” coach Penney reported. “We learned how to play in their (small) rink, and got some good goals in the third period.”
George Hensel, recently moved up from defence to forward, scored twice for St. Marys. Lake Taylor and Blake Boreham (into an empty net) had the singles, and Alex Martens posted the net win.
