IT'S GOING THE DISTANCE!
Game six of the Buckland Cup at the Duncan McDonald arena in Trenton with a chance for the Golden Hawks to hoist the trophy with a win. There were some lineup changes from game five, a 5-2 Trenton win in Georgetown. For the 'Hawks co-captain Josh Allan returned to anchor the blueline following a four-game suspension, Ben Scheel was back in also with Austin Tonkovich and Louis DiMatteo sitting this one out. For the Raiders ex-Orangeville Flyers, captain Colin Rigney returned to the ice as did Scott Docherty, acquired at the deadline from the Toronto Junior Canadiens. They took the place of Louis Kereakou and Arran MacDonald. For the first time in the Final series Nicholas Latinovich got the start in goal for the Raiders. He replaced Josh Astorino late in the second period of game five.
The desperate Raiders got off on the right foot and before the halfway mark of the opening period they led 2-0. Keegan Blasby's snapshot from the faceoff circle beat Chris Janzen for the power forward's first of the series and team-leading eleventh of the playoffs. The score came late on a man-advantage situation for the Raiders. A turnover in the Golden Hawks' zone set up the second goal for Georgetown with Rigney finishing off the play for just his second of the post-season. This caused the Golden Hawks coach Jerome Dupont call a timeout to settle the team down. It could have been 3-0 at 9.46 as Jack Hughes shimmied through and was awarded a penalty shot for his efforts but Janzen stayed with him to make the save. A big chance for the home side to get back into the contest came with Jordan Anderson getting a five minute major for checking from behind but the 'Hawks could muster but three shots with the advantage and the period would end 2-0 in favour of the hungry Raiders who doubled Trenton in shots on goal,16-8.
Trenton came out in the second with more zip and Georgetown did not get a shot on net until they were on their third powerplay of the game which came at just past the seven minute mark of the period. Jake Payette made it 3-0 on their second shot. It was the big blueliner's third of the post-season and a very large one for the Raiders. Latinovich made fourteen saves in this frame while Janzen repelled ten. 3-0 after two complete.
In the third the Raiders took advantage of a five minute major call for cross-checking to Rex Moe (he will miss game seven as will Anderson) scoring twice while he was off the ice. Jordan Crocker (his 11th.) and Jack Jacome (his 7th.) had goals 21 seconds apart. A final 5-0 shutout for Nicholas Latinovich who made 28 saves. Elliot Gerth replaced Janzen in the 'Hawks net after Georgetown' fourth.
A big night for the Raiders' powerplay with four goals on eight opportunities. Andrew Court has three assists for the winners with Michael Vukojevic registering a pair. Matt McJannet, Payette, Blasby, Josh Dickinson and Mitch Brewer had one assist each. Nine short of 900 fans took in the action with most of them leaving unhappy.
So it's back to the Gordon Alcott arena for the decider on Wednesday evening with a 7.30 puck drop. The momentum that Trenton had following Saturday night's victory dissipated somewhat after this one but these are two teams with tons of talent and the final game of the Final will be a not-to-be- missed event.
In recent years two Buckland Cup Finals have gone to seven games. In 2015 the Patriots beat Kingston 6-1 with Marcus Rose, who just completed his first season for Adrian College, scoring the winner. In 2013 the Buzzers topped Newmarket 3-1 with Shane Conacher having the winner. The Burlington native had thee seasons at Canisius and this season suited up for the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. The game's final goal came off the stick of a guy called Marner!
For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.
Game recap is written by ace reporter Ron Valentine, who has covered the OJHL from start-to-finish throughout the 2016-17 season!
