After an 8-2 win at home on Wednesday evening, the Peterborough Lakers could end the Junior season for the Mimico Mountaineers. With their Junior B club already sent packing, the Junior C squad was looking to ward off elimination at home.
Given the Mountaineers were 2-13-1 on the season, and facing a Lakers team with a 9-6 record, the best-of-three series was not expected to be much of a matchup. However, Mimico’s defence came out strong in game two, despite taking two penalties in the first half of the period. Despite huge pressure from Peterborough for almost a full six minutes, Adrian Singh opened the scoring on the powerplay with just over three minutes to play in the period. His goal was answered by Peterborough’s Darien Jacobs just ninety seconds later. The teams remained locked at ones at the break.
The Mountaineers were often criticized during the regular season for their lack of discipline at times posting 359 penalty minutes in just sixteen games. This would quickly become the story in the second period as Mimico killed a high sticking penalty only to see as many as four players in the box at the same time. Peterborough were at least one man up for over eight full minutes but despite peppering Mimico starting goalie Jonathan Jacobs with eleven shots on powerplay, on route to thirty in the period, he was able to stop all of them. He was unable to stop Darien Jacobs, however, as the Lakers forward would score two back-to-back to complete the hat trick and give Peterborough a 3-1 lead. Another blistering shot from the top by Singh pulled Mimico within one, and they trailed 3-2 heading to the final frame.
In the third, things started to get heated. Three separate off-setting minors for roughing were handed out as both sides got physical, especially after Dylan Hutchison pulled Peterborough ahead by two, and Thomas Hogarth added the Lakers’ fifth. The feeling in the building was, Mimico could sense their season running out with the clock, and they were trying to goat Peterborough into fights and penalties as the clock wound down. To the Lakers credit, they were not responding as they knew they’d need all their players for a second series.
When the dust settled and the horn sounded Peterborough knocked off Mimico 5-2, and won the series two games to none. While the victory went to Peterborough, recognition also belongs to Jonathan Jacobs. In addition to standing tall during the eight minute powerplay, he faced sixty shots throughout the game, and made fifty-five saves. Brandon Wilson got the call for Peterborough and made twenty-six saves of twenty-eight shots, many from far out.
Mimico’s defence, led by Jacobs, is strong, however, they ran into difficulties on offense trying to force things to happen when they sensed a loss coming. This included forcing passes and shots resulting in loose balls and costly turnovers. In addition, Hogarth dominated at the faceoff circle winning nine of fourteen, losing only to Chris Aspros.
Peterborough has a strong team that will be preparing for round two. Not even a solid goaltender like Jacobs could keep them from winning this game, and series.
