LAURIE WEIR
The Smiths Falls Rideaus are heading to the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (EOSHL) final after defeating the defending champion Gananoque Islanders 10-6 on Sunday, March 23, to clinch the best-of-five Lake Division final 3-1.
Smiths Falls will face the North Dundas Rockets in the championship series, which begins Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. in Chesterville. Game 2 is set for Sunday, March 30, at 4 p.m. in Smiths Falls.
Rideaus overwhelm Islanders in 10-6 win
Smiths Falls jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first period with goals from Reid Russett, Eric Witzel and Ben Beasley on the power play. Chris Latimer responded for Gananoque.
The second period saw an offensive surge from both teams. The Rideaus extended their lead with goals from Tate Leeson, Brock Boisclair and Theo Todd, but Gananoque fought back with five goals of their own—Aidan Harris, Aaron Duggan, Mason Mangan (two) and Cole Busschaert—to even the game at 6-6.
Smiths Falls dominated the final frame, netting four unanswered goals to seal the series win. Brett Costello, Todd and Spenser Cobbold, with two, rounded out the scoring.
Rideaus edge Islanders in 4-3 battle
A day earlier, on Saturday, March 22, the Rideaus took a hard-fought 4-3 victory at home in front of 900 fans at the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre.
Smiths Falls opened a 2-0 lead after the first period with goals from Cobbold and Andrew McKenney.
Gananoque cut the deficit in the second with a goal from Kevin Domingue. The Islanders tied the game early in the third when Justynn Steven found the back of the net, but the Rideaus answered with two quick goals—Cobbold’s second of the night and a tally from Andrew Sprague—to restore their lead at 4-2.
Graeme Brown capitalized on a power play at 10:28 to bring the Islanders within one, but Smiths Falls goaltender Dallas Slack shut the door. The Rideaus held on to eliminate the defending champions and punch their ticket to the EOSHL final.
