NEWS

David Quesnele scored late in the game and then again in overtime as Kingston eliminated Wellington, while Newmarket handed Whitby a 5-3 loss to end their season in the first round of the 2013 OJHL playoffs.

Kingston 3 vs. Wellington 2 – Kingston wins series 4-1
(pictured - Junior Harris, left, and Charlie Finn celebrate a Vees victory - photo credit - Robert John Boucher/OJHL Images)
David Quesnele, the Diesel train snapped a laser to the top corner of the net in overtime to lift the Kingston Voyageurs to their second straight series victory over the Wellington Dukes and dispose of the Dukes in five games, after a 3-2 come from behind victory. It was Quesnele who also scored the games tying goal, in the dying seconds of regulation time to force overtime in the first place. It was a banner night for the games first star.  "He's always had a dynamite shot and when he gets in that area of the ice, with a clean look to the net, he doesn't miss very often," said Captain Michael Schug, a longtime teammate of Quesnele, dating back to their minor hockey days in Sault Ste. Marie.  Quesnele also picked up an assist on the Vees opening goal, scored by Brett Du Puy less than three minutes into the contest. Wellington fought hard with their backs against the wall and picked up two second period markers by Craig Campbell and Nik Coric and nearly had a third, as a quick whistle saved a third goal by the Dukes in the second period.  The Vees peppered 48 shots on Wellington goaltender Matt Larose and finally with 49 seconds left in regulation time, Quesnele got the equalizer. Junior Harris was buzzing all around the Wellington net in overtime, creating several chances to score, but couldn't find the back of the net. Equally as strong as always, was Vees All-Star Charlie Finn, who makes a very difficult goaltending job, look very easy at times.  The Vees will now advance on to face the cindrella Cobourg Cougars, who upset off first place Trenton in the opening round of the playoffs.
For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

Newmarket 5 vs. Whitby 3 – Newmarket wins series 4-2
In what was probably the most entertaining game of the series, your Hurricanes once again got out to a lead that was too much for the Whitby Fury to overcome. The Canes took a 5-3 win at the Twinney Complex Thursday night to beat Whitby four games to two in their OJHL North-East Conference Quarter Final.  The first two periods of this contest were as entertaining as any in the entire six games. The first was scoreless with both Newmarket’s Matt Wintjes and Whitby’s Tyler Feaver showing that they were on their “A” games. Shots were 12-11 Whitby.  The Canes used the second period to once again leap-frog the Fury and take a multi-goal lead. Kyler Nixon opened the scoring at 5:57 and Taylor Chick (probably Newmarket’s best forward over the course of the entire series) made it 2-0 at 8:48. Whitby put one past Wintjes two minutes later.  Daniel Leavens regained the two-goal bulge for the Canes when he scored at 16:52. Shots in the second were 14-7 for Newmarket, an accurate description of the momentum in play.  With their season on the line, Whitby came out hard in the third but it was Newmarket who collected the period’s opening goal for a three-goal lead. Ian Farrell bulged the twine in the Whitby cage at 5:50.  Once again, the Fury fought back, taking advantage in a lull in Newmarket’s effort. The Fury potted goals at 9:55 and 11:38 to silence what had been a rather boisterous crowd at The Twinney.  Whitby continued to press in an effort to get the equalizer, pulling Feaver while they had a power play with just under two minutes remaining. It was all for naught however, as Justin Maiolino’s empty-netter sealed the deal for the Canes at 18:27. Shots in the third period were in Whitby’s favour 12-6. Game totals were 31-31.  Brandon Francisco and Calvin Higley each recorded two assists with Wintjes made 28 saves to record the win in goal.  For the series, Leavens and Chick paced the club with 3 goals. Francisco and Higley were tops with 4 assists each. Leavens was the Canes’ top point-getter with 6. Wintjes had a 4-1 W-L record in the series with a 2.20 GAA and .926 save %.  With the Kingston Voyageurs also closing out their series (with the Wellington Dukes) this evening, the Canes now await the outcome of the lone remaining N/E Conference series before they will know who they face in the N/E Semi Finals. The Lindsay Muskies hold a three-games-to-two lead on the Aurora Tigers and host Game Six Friday night. A Lindsay series win and the Canes would have home-ice advantage against the Muskies. If Aurora should come back to take the series, Newmarket would face Kingston, the Vees having home-ice advantage. Either way, the OJHL Conference Semi Finals will begin next week.
For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.