NEWS

(pictured - Buffalo netminder Parker Gahagen stretches for the puck as Corey Kalk's shot trickles across the goal line in double-overtime - photo credit: Brian Watts/OJHL Images)
The North York Rangers are on to the OJHL South-West Conference Final after a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory in game six versus the Buffalo Jr. Sabres.

But for a second or two in the first overtime, it looked like Buffalo had successfully forced Game Seven.  That's when Pat Egan put the puck over the arm of Rangers goalie Jason Pucciarelli.  However, the officials disallowed it, ruling that the net had become dislodged just before the puck entered the net.

Play resumed and continued through one overtime.  Then in the second extra session, Corey Kalk slipped the puck past Parker Gahagen, who in spite of the loss put in one of the most impressive performances of his Jr. Sabres career, stopping 62 shots.  His efforts were rewarded by the Rangers organization with 1st Star honours in the game, a testament to the respect between the two talented clubs.

North York opened the scoring at the 10:48 mark of the second period with Franco Loparco's goal.  Buffalo's Ryan Schmelzer evened the score at the 9:42 mark of the third period and that's all the offence that took place until Kalk became the overtime hero.

The Rangers victory ends the OJHL Conference semi-final series and sets up the South-West Conference Championship versus the St. Michael's Buzzers.

For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

SW Conference Semi-Final:
Game One    North York 5 @ Buffalo 1 (NYR leads series 1-0)
Game Two    Buffalo 2 @ North York 4 (NYR leads series 2-0)
Game Three    North York 4 @ Buffalo 5 (OT) (NYR leads series 2-1)
Game Four    Buffalo 1 @ North York 4 (NYR leads series 3-1)
Game Five    North York 1 @ Buffalo 2 (NYR leads series 3-2)
Game Six    Buffalo 1 @ North York 2 (2OT) (NYR wins series 4-2)