(by team reporter Albert Ross)
The EJ’s Bantam Husky AEs played
host to the Milton Winterhawks on February 21 to begin the OMHA semi-final
series. The Dogs knew this opponent would be tough and stepped up their game
accordingly. The solid fore-checking efforts paid early dividends when Mason Wagner bagged the first goal by tipping in Dale Jurica’s shot to the net.
More chances followed as the Dogs bottled up the Winterhawks in their own zone. Tyson Wagler and Nic Egli put pucks to the net but it was Sammy Miller who found the mark getting help from Danny O’Connell and Alex Kyle. The opposition rebounded and set a fast and furious pace. They finally cracked the Husky defense as the period wound down and drew within a point of their hosts.
The Dogs continued their fast pace in the second with the rewards coming early from Matt Sommerville’s stick. Jurica and Jacob Ertel shared the assisting credits on play that inspired more Husky efforts. Miller, Danny Farrish and Emmet Latyn all put pucks to the net but the offensive was halted when the Dogs took a major for cross-checking. Milton capitalized early but were unable to move the needle further. The Husky penalty killers were doubling down to kill the 5-minute major and suffered another setback when they were cited for tripping. Milton pulled out the stops and did everything except score as the period ended.
Zack Robinson was holding up well between the pipes and made 4 successive saves early in the third before the Huskies turned it around. The guests were soon on the receiving end as they took back-to-back minors. Chances for the Huskies followed with both Egli and Miller testing the Milton goalie but the Winterhawks held them off. With the clock winding down, the Milton goalie headed to the bench but the gambit backfired. Miller forced a neutral zone turnover and fired the puck on net to advance the Husky total. But Milton refused to give up. With their net still empty, they forced the Husky zone and plugged one in with 14 seconds remaining. The Dogs tightened up and kept their opponent at bay for the remaining tense seconds to take the 4 – 3 win. It was a hard-fought battle that will likely set the tone for this series but the Huskies are up to the challenge, if the scoreboard is any indication.