(by team reporter Albert Ross)
The EJ’s Bantam Husky AEs found themselves in
Barrie on March 8 to face the Colts for game 1 of the OMHA finals.
The Dogs were brimming with confidence when they took to the ice and planned to introduce their tough fore-checking style of play to their hosts. The plan paid early dividends when Jacob Ertel opened the scoring on a turnover play with less than a minute elapsed. The Colts were quick to respond on the next shift on a misplayed puck to re-establish the tie. Zack Robinson settled in between the pipes and kept the hosts at bay while his team regrouped in front. Forcing the offensive zone, the Pack quickly capitalized when Josh Potts took the second Husky point on a deflection shot from Danny Farrish. Potts would get his second point of the day on the power-play when the Colts tripped up Danny O’Connell and were forced to work with a man disadvantage. Farrish was again in on the play that secured a 2-goal lead going into the second. It was an end-to-end dump-and-chase frame that saw both sides getting chances but Robinson was a wall, stopping seven shots to keep his team in front. The Huskies hard fore-checking once again paid the bills as the period was winding down. Nic Egli, back off the injured reserve list, found the net in a scramble getting help from Jackson Gerber and Mason Wagner.
It looked like the Huskies were in the drivers seat going into the third but the Colts struck back early when they forced the defensive zone. Play had hardly resumed when they did it again, leaving the Huskies stunned. The hosts had turned the tables on their guests and pressed them hard throughout the period. In a shocking reversal of fortunes, the Colts tied the contest late when a shot to the net deflected off a defender beating Robinson who had no chance.
The ensuing overtime saw the Huskies regain much of their offensive flair and came very close to sealing the win when Matt Sommerville nearly succeeded on a short-handed breakaway. The score stood at 4 – 4 after the final buzzer but the Huskies now knew that this opponent could be beat.
They would get their chance on March 10 at home but it was clear from the first whistle that the Colts were taking nothing for granted. In spite of Barrie incurring three minor penalties in the first, the Dogs were unable to open the scoring against a determined Colt defense. Then it was the Dogs turn to go on the defensive when the Colts returned to full strength in the second. Carter Schwartzentruber did sterling service in net, gobbling up 5 credible scoring chances before succumbing on a Colt 5 on 3 power-play late in the frame. The battered Huskies used the break between frames to regroup and prepare for a return to the ice. The Colts, having had 2 frames of offensive play were now facing a rejuvenated Husky squad that put them on their heels. The efforts very nearly paid off but Sammy Miller’s goal at the half was disallowed due to the referee not seeing it cross the goal line. Efforts were redoubled and the Dogs pulled Carter as the clock wound down. The gambit nearly succeeded when Egli raced to the Colt net. In the end, the Huskies had to accept the 1 – 0 loss but are determined to give their all when they travel to Barrie on March 14 for game 3.