M-Hockey Playoffs: Saturday Roundup
Western, 1 @ Waterloo, 2
Captain Chris Ray (Kelowna, B.C.) scored at 16:12 of the third period to lift the Warriors to a 2-1 victory over the Western Mustangs in game two of the OUA west semifinals. Ray’s second goal of the game evened the series at one, with game three set for tomorrow night in London at 7:30 pm.
The opening frame saw both teams fight for every inch of the ice as the tight checking series continued where it left off from game one. Both teams were hesitant to make the first mistake with the Mustangs outshooting Waterloo 8-4.
The second period opened up with the Mustangs opening the scoring at 13:51 of the second period. Adam Nemeth (Amherstberg, Ont.) fired a shot from the point that was beautifully tipped by left winger Chris Corbeil (Oakville, Ont.) past Warrior netminder Keaton Hartigan (Kitchener, Ont.). Cobeil’s opening goal was his third of the young OUA post-season.
The Western goal seemed to awaken the Warriors who took control for the remainder of the third period. Chris Ray would score his first of the game, second of the playoffs, firing a shot from the high slot that would surprise Mustangs goalie Anthony Grieco (Brampton, Ont.) with the puck slipping through his legs. Cory Fraser (Pictou, N.S.) and Kirt Hill (Winnipeg, Man.) picked up helpers on the goal.
The third period once again saw the two team’s battle to carry momentum as the goalies stood on their head making several big saves. Ray would give the Warriors the lead late in the third picking up a rebound and lifting it over the shoulder of Grieco into the top corner of the net. The goal stood as the game winner with Hartigan making 11 third period saves, 36 in the game. Grieco equaled Hartigan with 36 saves of his own in a losing effort.
Game three goes tomorrow at 7:30 pm at the Thompson Arena in London. The game can be seen live on the Streaming Sports Network (SSN Canada).
Source: Waterloo Sports Info
Nipissing, 4 @ McGill, 6
Andrew Wright scored twice as No.2-ranked McGill exploded for four goals in the second period en route to a 6-4 win over the Nipissing University Lakers in men's hockey playoff action at McConnell Arena, Saturday. McGill, which won the series opener 4-1 in North Bay, Wednesday, swept the OUA East semifinal in two straight games.
The Redmen led 1-0 after one period and 5-1 after two in a contest that featured 102 minutes in penalties.
Rounding out the scoring for McGill was Guillaume Doucet, defenceman Ben Morse, Maxime Langelier-Parent and Simon Marcotte-Legare.
Replying for the Lakers was Dorian Peca, Jason Gray, Dan Watt and Andrew Marcoux.
McGill now awaits the winner of Sunday night's rubber match between Carleton and UQTR. The OUA East best-of-three final is tentatively scheduled to open at mc»Connell Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Source: McGill Sports Info
Laurier, 3 @ Guelph, 0
The Guelph Gryphon men’s hockey team dropped Game two 3-0 against the Laurier Golden Hawks in the best-2-out-of-3 OUA semifinal series Saturday night at the Gryphon Centre. The must win third game of the series is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Sunday in Waterloo.
Guelph outshot the Golden Hawks 27-19. Laurier goal scorers were Jean-Michel Rizk (Dunham, QC), Zack Woolford (Rockwood, Ont.) and Phil Magistrale (Tsawwassen, BC) who scored the empty netter. Ryan Daniels earned the shutout and made 27 saves while Andrew Loverock turned aside 16 of 18 shots.
The third and final game of the series will take place on Sunday in Waterloo.
Source: Guelph Sports Info
