After six games against Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds in the Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League final, the Hearst Lumberjacks remain just one win away from their second championship in four seasons.
As of 2019, the Lumberjacks will have to play until the end of this final against the Thunderbirds after removing the Powassan Voodoos and the Timmins Rock.
Opponents broke the night at Center récréatif Claude Larose in Hearst by deflecting the puck behind goaltender Liam Oxner to win the third straight game and force the holding of an ultimate game in Sault-Sainte-Marie.
It’s hard to start the game
Spent by Sault Ste. Marie did most of the early stages in setting the tone of the game by examining the body, hitting the puck carrier and almost surgical execution of their defensive game plan. While the goal shots were almost 20 minutes later, the Lumberjacks almost blocked the chances around.
Jacks rookie defenseman, Justin Carrière, was notably the victim of a check that stretched him on the ice for about sixty seconds behind his net. After returning to the locker room just five minutes into the game, he returned to help his team sell the late-period Thunderbirds power play.
I think he was shaking. He missed a few appearances, but when he returned he was fineassured Lumberjacks assistant coach Christian Gratton.
Ultimately, the Thunderbirds were the first to get on the board thanks to two back-to-back goals from the slot to take a 2-0 lead.
The Lumberjacks ’bad successive streak quickly drove out most of the 777, who had cheered just an hour ago.
Bad habits reappear in the first two stages and big guns don’t deliver. The coaches want to fix the situation quickly.
We were still a bit “flat” when we started. We had a good time, but nothing enjoyable. The man was told to come out loud, try to come backexplanation by Christian Gratton.
The Lumberjacks started the third period with a bang, tying the game with two consecutive goals within two minutes from Robbie Rutledge. However, Brock Santa-Maria regained the lead with the Thunderbirds minutes later.
Tyren Grimsdale took advantage of an error along the boards in the opposing zone to tie the game with just over seven minutes left to give the Lumberjacks a chance in overtime. But a deflected shot from Russell Oldham sealed the Thunderbirds ’third straight win.
Place for the ultimate match
Hearst will have to work hard to repeat the 2019 exploits in the seventh and final meeting.
You can’t win a streak by playing 30 minutes. You have to go out and play 60 minutes against. We have no choice. Sault Ste. Marie giit ni mr. Gratton.
The trio of forward Ryan Glazer, the Jacks’ top scorer in the series, did not make it to the scoresheet despite golden chances and Raphaël Lajeunesse, who still had a point in the final.
Mr. remains hopeful. Gratton despite everything. Five-on-five, if you’re competing and playing the way you should, there’s no reason not to get the win.
The Lumberjacks now need to decide which of goaltenders Liam Oxner and Matteo Gennaro will get the final playoff start. Oxner was called up after two rounds in Game 5 and could not secure a win for his team when they went home.
We have two great goalkeepers that we trust. It is a decision to be made tonight or tomorrow sharing by Mr. Gratton.
The final game of the NJHL Final is Thursday at 7 pm at John Rhoades Arena in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Tour champion team will advance to the national championship, the Centennial Cup, to be held May 19-29 in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
Source: Radio-Canada
