NEWS

(pictured - Anthony Sorrentino of the Trenton Golden Hawks celebrates his OT-winner in game four of the 2017 OJHL Championship Series - photo credit: Andy Corneau/OJHL Images)

Two very different complexions will be put on this series depending on the outcome of game four in Trenton. A Georgetown victory will put that club in the catbird seat with a 3-1 lead but a Trenton win makes this a best of three. This will be game 73 this season for the Raiders, number 72 for Trenton. 59 victories for Georgetown, 55 for the Golden Hawks so far.

Golden Hawks coach Jerome Dupont was not happy with his team's compete level, especially in the opening two periods, in game three and says his charges need to come back strongly in front of their own fans. He looks for his team led by Lucas Brown and Liam Morgan to up their intensity level. He explained that Austin Tonkovich, although he received just a two-minute penalty (plus a game) for goalie interference he has been suspended for one game since it was the team's second such penalty of the contest. Chris Sekelyk and Dawson Baker will be in the lineup for this one, he noted.

The Golden Hawks will have defender Bryce Martin back for this game but will  have to do without forward Tonkovich.  Colin Rigney and Arran MacDonald will be available for the Raiders following single-game suspensions.  

MacDonald was in uniform for the Raiders with Ryan Miotto sitting this one out. Starting goalkeepers- Josh Astorino for the Raiders and Chris Janzen for the Golden Hawks. Both number one for their clubs with the number one on their jerseys.

The first period was scoreless with the 'Hawks oushooting the Raiders 11-8.

In the second Jordan Crocker got into double figures in goals for the playoffs when he connected to the disappointment of the almost 900 fans to give the visitors the 1-0 advantage. Fours were lucky for Jordan with the marker coming at 4.44. Callup blueliner Mitch Brewer and veteran Lou Kereakou had assists on the play. Once again the home team had the edge in shots on goal, 13-11.

The Golden Hawks were able to draw level in the third frame, lucky number seven in the playoffs for the former Halifax Moosehead Anthony Sorrentino from Chays Ruddy and Baker. Time of the goal was 7.28. Once again Janzen was felled in the crease with just under five minutes remaining in the period but fortunately he was able to continue after some on-ice attention. Nick Boddy was called for dislodging the cage but the Raiders were kept off the scoresheet by some excellent work from the 'Hawks penalty killers. The visitors pressed late but for the first time in the series with no time showing on the new clock we have overtime.

The 'Hawks were assessed seven minors in regulation with Georgetown getting six and the shots on goal after three favoured Trenton 32-26.

...and so to the pivotal extra time and as might have been expected it started out tight but the Raiders got a couple of shots on Janzen early. The home side began to work themselves into the game as things began to open up after the five minute mark. Jack Jacome was seeing a lot of ice for the Raiders looking to add to his one goal of the series scored in game number one. Overall the play was still careful with no-one wanting to give up a scoring chance. Shifts were short as neither coach wanted tired players on the ice with the next goal meaning so much. The winner came from Sorrentino as he picked up a loose puck and blasted it high past Astorino to send the crowd home happy three hours from the start of the game. The score came with two minutes exactly left in the extra time. Sekelyk got the only helper on the big goal. Final shots on net were 44-36 for Trenton.

So the home ice advantage continues and the Raiders will be hoping that streak gets extended as the next game, Saturday night, is back at the Gordon Alcott arena and the earliest the Frank Buckland Cup can be presented is now Sunday.

Quick bio on the two-goal and game winning scorer- the 21-year-old played his minor hockey in North York. In 2014-2015 he suited up for the Pelham Panthers of the GOJHL where he recorded 69 points. Next season saw him start out with the QJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles before moving to Halifax. He had 34 points between the two clubs. He started out this past campaign with the Mooseheads where he had 12 points before coming to Trenton. Tonight's two goals give him fourteen points in the playoffs to date. He calls Woodbridge home.

(Story by OJHL West Division reporter Ron Valentine)