With two teams already on the verge of elimination, what has been a competitive first round of playoffs in the Junior A loop is quickly beginning to wind down.
No. 1 Six Nations vs. No. 8 Kitchener-Waterloo
(Series tied at 1-1)
Next Game: Thursday, July 18. 8:00 pm
The Arrows rebounded from their opening series loss, defeating the Braves 19-13. Six Nations was led by an outstanding performance from Johnny Powless. The Arrows sniper doubled his production from the series’ first game with a 10 point performance, including seven goals. Joining Powless in the Arrows scoring spree was Vaughan Harris, who contributed a hat-trick as well as six helpers to finish the night with nine points. After being held goalless in game one, Haodais Maracle broke out with a four goal performance, adding two assists for six points. Chris Cloutier continued to put forth a solid offensive effort for the Braves with six goals and three assists on the night, while Kyle Jackson and Tom Masterson chipped in with five points in the loss. Despite finishing with four points, Dhane Smith was held goalless in game two after a four goal performance in the opening game of the series. The series will return to Six Nations for game three.
No. 2 Whitby vs. No. 7 Barrie
(Whitby leads 2-0)
Next Game: Thursday, July 18. 8:00 pm
The Warriors moved within one game of eliminating the Lakeshores with a 12-5 win. Reilly O’Connor had another solid offensive effort with three goals and three assists for six points. Ryan Keenan also continued to have a hot stick with another five point performance. Daniel Craig remains a lone bright spot for the Lakeshores. Craig was in on four of five Barrie goals, finishing with three goals and one assist in the loss. Whitby will have an opportunity to finish the series on home floor Thursday night.
No. 3 Burlington vs. No. 6 Peterborough
(Series tied at 1-1)
Next Game: Thursday, July 18. 8:00 pm
In what has been the most competitive series of the first round of playoffs, the Lakers evened the series with a one goal victory defeating the Chiefs 9-8. Josh Currier once again led the Lakers offensively with three goals and two assists for five points. While Turner Evans (1g, 3a) and Zac Currier (2g, 2a) each contributed four points in the victory. Jacob Ruest continued to be the top performer for the Chiefs with a five point game. After an outstanding seven goal outburst in game one, Burlington’s Danny Lomas finished with two goals in the loss.
No. 4 Brampton vs. No. 5 Orangeville
(Brampton leads 2-1)
Next Game: Friday, July 19. 8:00 pm
The Northmen evened the series with a 10-9 victory at home off of another stellar game from Dallas Bridle, who finished with a hat-trick in the victory. Cody McMahon led all Orangeville scorers with six points in the win. With little turnaround between games, the Excelsiors were able to regain the series lead with authority in game three in the form of an 11-3 victory. Goaltender Ryan Kelly and the Excelsiors defense held the Northmen scoreless until the final period when Brandon Benn finally ended the shutout with a powerplay marker. Jake Weidner has been outstanding for the Excelsiors thus far with 15 points in three games, while Dan Keane trails closely behind with 11 points in the series. Orangeville will attempt to fight off elimination when the series returns to Tony Rose on Friday night.
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