Mar 17, 2014 | Dave Duncan | 1353 views
OMHA Finals Opener
On Monday March 17th, the Marcc Apparel Bantam AE Sailors traveled to Ilderton to open their OMHA Finals series with the defending champion Jets.
After introductions and the National Anthem, both teams came out tentative. After a couple minutes, Ilderton picked it up, and Tanner had to stand on his head to keep the game scoreless. Half way through the first period, the defense got caught watching the puck, and #18 for the Jets dangled through and put Ilderton up 1-0. A couple big hits by Kody and Troy woke the Sailors up, and put the Jets on their heels. With 25 seconds remaining in the first, Braeden picked up a pass in the neutral zone, and showed the Sailors can dangle too. He came in on a one on two, deked around the first defender, did a toe drag around the second, went to the back hand and beat the Jets goalie to even the score assisted by Mitchell. First period ends in a 1-1 tie.
The Sailors physical play, and the tie score seemed to spark the Sailors. Ten seconds into the second period, Luc took a pass from Justin, turned and fired a wrist shot that eluded the Jets goalie glove side, and the Sailors had their first lead. Five minutes later, Braeden tipped the puck past the Jet defender, at the Sailor blue line, and raced up the ice on a breakaway. Braeden snapped a shot 5-hole, unassisted, to stretch the Sailor lead to 3-1. The Sailors took this lead into the second intermission.
The Sailors started the third period short-handed, and the Jets capitalized a minute in, cutting the lead to 3-2. With 10 minutes left in the game, Braeden gathered up a loose puck just outside the Ilderton blue line, and pulled it around the defender to go in alone on the goalie. The Jets goalie attempted a poke check, but Braeden dragged it back to the forehand, beat him high, to complete the hattrick, and give the Sailors back their two goal lead. The Sailors then went into a defensive mode, and kept the Jets at bay for a 4-2 win. An excellent team effort boys!
The Marcc Apparel Bantam AE Sailors return home Friday March 21st, when they host Ilderton in game 2 of the OMHA Finals. Game time is 8pm at the Maitland Recreational Cenre. Come cheer the boys on!!!!