Tied at one game apiece going into last weekend, the playoff series between the Windsor Jr. Spitfires and the Minor Midget Lakers was up for grabs.
GAME #3
The Spits had taken the first game 3-2 and the Lakers narrowly won the second game 1-0.
Fifteen seconds into Saturday's game, Windsor had an excellent scoring opportunity from close in but goalie Drew Reinhardt was right there to pick up where he left off after his game #2 shutout. On an early Lakers power play, the best scoring attempt was Brandon Priestap's tip of a low hard Liam Maaskant point shot. The Spits replied by hitting a post and then, on a power play, scored a goal which was disallowed - Reinhardt's posts were working hard. Jeff McArdle was key on the penalty kill calmly intercepting and icing the puck a number of times. Ryan Watson did the grunt work for the first goal, trying to charge through the defense. Watson was interfered with but Ty Bilcke was trailing to bang the puck in.....1-0.
In the second period, Shawn Moore faked a slap shot and sent a beauty pass to Ray Huether who was denied. As Brady Wiffen chipped a pass behind the net to Ryan Watson, shouts of, "Watty!" could be heard from the blue line. Heeding the call, Watson sent the puck back to Jake Ringuette. Despite moving backward as he received the pass, Ringuette was able to snap a bullet that cleanly beat the Spits' goalie.....2-0. Ray Huether created a second scoring opportunity for himself by bringing the puck around the left side of the net. Instead of going for the low percentage wraparound, Huether brought the puck out just far enough to snap a shot high over the shoulder of the goalie who was crouched protecting the post. "Ding!" - no luck.
In the third period, Huether created a third opportunity, this time crossing in front of the net on his forehand. Huether made no mistake this time, patiently holding on to the puck while awaiting an opening.....3-0. Ryan Watson finished the scoring with a great individual effort, driving toward the net from the left side and calmly chipping a backhander between the goalie's legs. Final score.....4-0.
Drew Reinhardt has played six periods in net without allowing a goal. The follicly-challenged Lakers now lead the series two games to one. Back to Windsor tomorrow for game #4.
GAME #4
It's great to be ahead two games to one but the fourth game can be a hard one to win. When the puck dropped Sunday afternoon in the former home of the Major "A” Spitfires, the Junior Spits looked like a new team - they were flying. Two minutes into the action, Drew Reinhardt had been cleanly deked but once again the goaltending gods were looking down on his net. Scott Coghlin arrived and stole the puck just as the Spit player was about to send it the final few inches toward the goal. This 'save' may have deflated the home team because the tide turned. Ty Bilcke dished out a big hit. Jesse DeGroote disrupted a two on one. On a penalty kill, Jerry Ennett and Jake Ringuette turned on the offense and nearly scored. In an even strength situation, Ryan Watson roared in on net, deked to his forehand but couldn't get the puck under the outstretched goalie's pads. Finally persistence paid off for the recently shorn Lakers squad. Disrupting a breakout just inside the blue line, David Sproat backhanded the puck toward the net where it was intercepted by Colt Pickett. Pickett continued the relay to Ray Huether cruising in front and #14 buried the forehand shot in the far side of the net.
Early in the second period a defensive breakdown forced Drew Reinhardt far out of his net to challenge a shooter. Hard work by Brady Wiffen kept the puck in the offensive zone and led to the 2-0 goal. Swooping in on the right side of the net, Ty Bilcke misfired on his initial passing attempt but quickly recovered to send a perfect pass out front to Ryan Watson who wasted no time ruffling the sheets in the top bunk. Before the end of the second this line put on an offense clinic, controlling the puck in the Spits' end for most of a shift. On their next shift, Watson and Wiffen clinched the series with a spectacular goal. Rushing in on a lone defender, Watson fired a nifty behind the back pass to Wiffen who was in excellent scoring position. Wiffen returned the puck immediately to Watson. This unselfish play completely surprised the goalie and left Watson with half a net to bury the puck in. Brandon Priestap almost made it 4-0 but, after beating a defender, his quick shot was caught.
When the third period began, Windsor took a senseless penalty which confirmed the battle was over. With 1:30 left to play, Spencer Ball's close coverage in front spoiled Windsor's final chance to score on Drew Reinhardt. Jeff McArdle made the final significant play of the game outmuscling Windsor's big #15 and skating away with the puck.
After losing the first game of the series, Chris Stewart's Lakers embarked on a mission and won three straight games against a pretty good team. The series victory was a total team effort but some special mention must be made about goalie Drew Reinhardt's performance. Three consecutive shutouts, nine periods without allowing a goal!!