LAURIE WEIR
The Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) quarter-finals are heating up as the Pembroke Lumber Kings evened their series with the Smiths Falls Bears at two games apiece following a 4-2 win on Wednesday, March 26.
The Bears took an early lead in the series with a decisive 4-0 victory at home on Tuesday, but Pembroke responded with a strong performance in Game 4 to tie the series.
Smiths Falls 4, Pembroke 0
The Bears shut down the Lumber Kings on Tuesday, blanking the visitors 4-0 in front of 332 fans in Game 3.
Gus Rabe opened the scoring in the first period with an unassisted goal.
In the second period, Xavier Tessier capitalized on a power play, assisted by Kyle Dagg and Caeden Heins, to extend the lead to 2-0. Quinn Both made it 3-0 before the intermission, with help from Travis Ouellette and Tyson Parker.
Ben Witford added the final goal in the third period on the power play, assisted by Jackson Heron and Davis Hails. The game saw 28 minutes in minor penalties in the final period and 48 minutes in total.
The Bears outshot the Lumber Kings 30-20, with Ethan Morrow securing the shutout.
Game stars:
1st: Ethan Morrow, G, Smiths Falls (20 saves)
2nd: Xavier Tessier, F, Smiths Falls (1G)
3rd: Maverick Hayes, F, Pembroke
Pembroke 4, Smiths Falls 2
The Lumber Kings came out strong in Game 4 on Wednesday, earning a 4-2 win at home in front of 479 fans.
Pembroke’s Eric Barnard opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 7:46 of the first period, assisted by Liam Cardiff and Easton Penna. Penna then doubled the lead at 11:43, assisted by Jayson Alegria.
Dagg put the Bears on the board at 4:28 of the second period, assisted by Jack Paquette and Heron. However, Pembroke regained a two-goal cushion when Aidan Dres scored at 9:58.
In the third, Parker brought Smiths Falls within one at 10:51, assisted by Ouellette. But an empty-net goal in the final minute sealed the 4-2 win for Pembroke.
The Bears outshot the Lumber Kings 34-23, but Michael Modelski backstopped Pembroke to victory with a 23-save performance.
Game stars:
1st: Michael Modelski, G, Pembroke (32 saves)
2nd: Eric Barnard, F, Pembroke (2G)
3rd: Tyson Parker, F, Smiths Falls (1G)
Looking Ahead
Smiths Falls will host Game 5 on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before returning to Pembroke for Game 6 on Sunday at 2 p.m. If necessary, Game 7 will be held in Smiths Falls on Tuesday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Around the League
In other quarter-final action:
- The Rockland Nationals (1st) lead the Cornwall Colts (8th) 3-0.
- Carleton Place Canadians (2nd) swept Kemptville 73’s (7th) 4-0.
- The Navan Grads (3rd) and Brockville Braves (6th) are tied 2-2.
