NEWS

The high-flying North York Rangers received all five of their goals, and nine points, from their top offensive unit, as they downed the St. Michael’s Buzzers 5-3 to even the best-of-seven South-West Conference Championship at two wins each.
(pictured - Corey Kalk of the North York Rangers battles Stephen Pietrobon of the St. Michael's Buzzers - photo credit: Brian Watts/OJHL Images)

OJHL playoff scoring leader Corey Kalk notched a natural hat trick in the third period, for his 16th goal in as many post-season games, to key the Rangers come-from-behind victory in the game.

After the marathon game three that went into triple overtime, the two netminders continued their stellar play between the pipes as there was no scoring in the first period of play with the shots 20-16 in favour of the visitors.  St. Michael’s would hold a distinct shot advantage all game, ultimately outshooting North York 54-41 in the losing effort, with Rangers backstop Jason Pucciarelli stopping 51 shots for the victory.

The Buzzers would continue to pour it on in the second, once again outshooting the Rangers 23-12, but the two teams would trade goals to enter the intermission knotted at one.  Adam Valadao notched his seventh of the playoffs just over a minute into the period and then Buzzers leading scorer Shane Conacher tied the score nearing the midway point of the period.

Conacher potted his second of the game early in the third period and then the club’s other trade deadline acquisition Matt Galati tallied a power play marker to give St. Mike’s a commanding two goal lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game.  Cue the Rangers comeback.  Just over a minute after Galati’s goal, John Carpino scored his ninth and then Kalk scored three consecutive goals with his hat trick coming into the empty net.

Game five in the series returns to St. Michael’s College School Arena on Wednesday, April 3 with puck drop at 7:30pm and game six is at Herb Carnegie Arena on Friday, April 5.

For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

South-West Conference Championship

Game One          North York 3 @ St. Michael’s 2   (North York leads series 1-0)
Game Two          St. Michael’s 4 @ North York 1   (Series tied 1-1)
Game Three       North York 4 @ St. Michael’s 5 (3OT) (St. Michael's leads series 2-1)
Game Four         St. Michael’s 3 @ North York 5 (Series tied 2-2)
Game Five          North York @ St. Michael’s          Apr. 3, 7:30pm
Game Six             St. Michael’s @ North York          Apr. 5, 7:00pm
Game Seven      North York @ St. Michael’s          Apr. 7, 7:00pm (if necessary)