When two equally matched teams go head-to-head in the playoffs, you know it’s going to be close.
The visiting Amherstburg Admirals won 5-1 over the Wheatley Sharks last Sunday night to take a two-games-to-one lead in their best-of-seven PJHL West Stobbs Division quarter-final series. It was Game 3 of the series.
During the regular season both teams finished with 43 points and in the six regular season matchups, each won three games. The Admirals won Game 1 last Wednesday night and came up just a little short Saturday night at the Libro Centre.
“I think our compete level was better. We made adjustments in our lineup. They pushed a little and we pushed back,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais after Sunday night’s win.
It was a total team effort as the visitors were up 1-0 after the first on a beauty of a redirect by Rory Sandison and led 3-1 on tallies from defenceman Ryan Clark and Charlie Coristine.
“We brought the energy for the whole game. We just didn’t stop,” said Coristine.
Coristine, along with Dallas Kelly and Jayden Seguin who was out the first two games of the series were very noticeable in Sunday’s win as they all played a strong two-way game.
“In the playoffs defence is huge. You don’t want to give up any breakaways to the other team. You want to shut them down as much as you can,” noted Coristine who had 10 goals during the regular season.
The third period belonged entirely to the Admirals as Cole Vaillancourt jumped on a loose puck after some great work by Jack Bulmer and Kelly was set up by Coristine later in the game. Clark led the way offensively with a goal and a pair of helpers.
“It’s going to go back-and-forth,” said Gervais of the series so far. “Tonight was a good team win.”
Amherstburg goalie Russell Vaughan made his post-season debut in style Sunday as he turned away 37 shots.
It took just 2:16 into Saturday night’s Game 2 in Amherstburg for Admirals’ captain Darby Drouillard to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead. However, the Sharks stormed back and it was 2-1 before Drew Booker tied it for Amherstburg.
Vito Alfano got his second of the night for the Sharks in overtime to tie the series at a win apiece.
The visiting Admirals won 4-2 last Wednesday night to open the series.
Trailing by a goal early, the Admirals rallied back and received goals from Rory Sandison, Brady Drouillard and Booker. Call-up Brayden Hebert scored in the empty net and was Amherstburg’s Player of the Game as he also had an assist in his junior debut. Dominic DeZorzi got his first junior hockey win in net.
Game 4 was played Tuesday night in Amherstburg after this issue of the RTT went to press. Results were not available at press time with Game 5 in Wheatley on Wednesday.
SLAPSHOTS… AP Brayden Hebert has been added to the lineup and had a penalty shot Saturday night just coming up short… After three playoff games Clark, Sandison and Booker each have three points.
Admirals look good through first three playoff games
By Fred Groves
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