NEWS

(pictured - left, Newmarket #22 Ryan Johnson faces-off against Lindsay #15 Dean Klomp in game one action - photo credit: Brian Watts/OJHL Images)
If Game One of the OJHL North-East Conference Semi-Final series between the Newmarket Hurricanes and the Lindsay Muskies is any indication, we’re in for one “humdinger” of a series!  The Hurricanes twice scored a pair of goals less than twenty seconds apart, en route to a 5-2 decision over the Muskies at the Ray Twinney Complex.

The final score is not really a true indication of how intense and competitive this game really was.  With the Hurricanes having a full week off after their win over Whitby and Lindsay having one less day of rest after downing the favoured Aurora Tigers, neither team looked like they suffered from any rust as the first period was one of the most fast-paced and spirited periods seen at the Twinney this year.  The two clubs split goals with Lindsay taking an early lead on a Corey Jackson goal at 3:19, only to see Calvin Higley equalizing with his second of the playoffs at 14:41. Shots in the first frame were 12-7 in favour of the Canes.

Despite the Canes applying some serious pressure in the second, it was Lindsay who took the lead on the power play at 15:46 thanks to Brian Hubers; a lead that only lasted for 59 seconds.  Chris Chiste deflected a Travis Dermott point shot past Lindsay’s Tanner Davis at 16:45 for his second of the post-season to make the score 2-2. Before the spectators were back in their seats, Dermott wired one into the back of the Lindsay net to give the Newmarket the lead only 12 seconds later; also his second of the playoffs.  Shots in period two were 17-6 for Newmarket.

Down by a goal, the Muskies put on a serious offensive thrust of their own, but ran into a brick wall called Matthew Wintjes in the Newmarket cage.  Wintjes continued his stellar post-season play in making 12 saves during the final frame.  The Canes salted away the victory, popping two past Davis, this time 18 seconds apart.  Daniel Leavens (4th) scored on the power play at 17:52, followed shortly thereafter by a Taylor Chick tally (4th) at 18:08.  Shots in the final twenty minutes were 12-10 for Lindsay and 39-25 for Newmarket overall in the game.

Dermott was selected as the Player of the Game for his one goal and two assist performance, along with some fine defensive play.

Game two goes at the Lindsay Recreation Centre Friday night at 7:30pm. Game Three is back at the Twinney Complex on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17 at 2:30pm.  That night, the Hurricanes will be presenting a cheque to the Southlake Cancer Care Centre from the funds raised during their February 14 “Battle of York” Benefit Game against Stouffville.

For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

NE Conference Semi-Final:
Game 1                                Lindsay 2 @ Newmarket 5
Game 2                                Newmarket @ Lindsay  March 15
Game 3                                Lindsay @ Newmarket March 17
Game 4                                Newmarket @ Lindsay  March 19
Game 5                                Lindsay @ Newmarket March 21 (if necessary)
Game 6                                Newmarket @ Lindsay  March 23 (if necessary)
Game 7                                Lindsay @ Newmarket March 24 (if necessary)