Toronto earns final playoff berth
Aaron Thow gave the Toronto Junior Canadiens a 6-5 (OT) victory over the Oakville Blades when he scored 4:59 into the extra period.
Aaron Spivak and Anthony Repaci provided the spark for Toronto, combining for three goals and three assists. Spivak racked up two goals and one assist and Repaci also notched one goal and two assists.
The Junior Canadiens forced Oakville goalie Mark Manolescu to work between the pipes, taking 38 shots. Toronto found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Junior Canadiens average 3.5 goals per game.
Toronto additionally got points from Connor Prudames, who also registered one goal and one assist and Repaci, who also finished with one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Toronto also got a goal from Kennedy Duguid as well. More assists for Toronto came via Mark Spadafora, Sal Filice, and Nicholas Jarzabek, who each chipped in one.
Toronto was unable to stop the Blades from sending pucks towards the net, and Oakville eventually piled up 56 shots on goal.
The Blades were helped by Dalton Bew, who tallied two goals. Bew scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 17:21 into the second period to make the score 2-2. Oakville earned a power play opportunity when Dante Cannatella was put in the box for head contact. Vince Palermo picked up the assist. Bew's next tally on the power play made the score 3-3 with five seconds left in the second period. The Blades were on a disadvantage when Palermo went off the ice for high sticking. Ross Sloan provided the assist. Oakville also got points from Kris Bennett, who also had one goal and one assist and Palermo, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Chris Poletek also scored for Oakville. In addition, Oakville received assists from Greg Allen, David Dischiavi, and Joe Seney, who contributed one a piece.
Daniel Lopapa recorded 51 saves for the Junior Canadiens. Toronto totaled 25 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 1-for-3 on the power play. Manolescu rejected 32 shots on goal for Oakville. The Blades incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.
