18-19 Midget | Mar 20, 2019 | dtaylor | 1131 views
Midget AA Colts continue playoff success !!
After a great run in the OMHA playoffs, the Colts have continued their winning ways after returning to the York Simcoe's pushing to win a league championship. After finishing league play in 6th spot, this will be a challenge but the boys seem up to it.
The first round of YS play had the Colts in a round robin with Aurora and Stouffville. The series saw the Colts split with Stouffville and get a win and tie with Aurora, good enough for second place and a chance to advance to the semi finals against Richmondhill, the team your Colts swept in the first round of the OMHA playoffs.
Game 1 was a fast hard hitting game that came down to goal tending and special teams. Owen Kellachan returned from injury and was stellar in net, keeping RH off the board for the entire game. Caleb Booth opened the scoring on the power play with assists to Crossley Stewart and Carson Wormsley.
Patrick Galloway continued his stellar playoff performance when he made a great individual effort short handed to give the Colts a 2-0 lead. Then with time winding down and RH pushing with an extra attacker, Ryan Connick sealed the deal with an empty net goal and the Colts took game one 3-0. Kellachan earning the shutout.
Game 2 was a tough one for the Colts as they struggled to find their game and the back of the RH net. When all was done, RH took game two 2-0, scoring an empty net goal as the Colts pushed to tie.
Game 3, well this got interesting. RH came out hitting and the Colts tried to weather the storm and found themselves down 1-0 at the end of the first. After a 'motivational' pep talk between periods, the Colts came out flying in the 2nd and scored 4 goals. Carson Wormsley got things started as he snuck into the offensive zone and picked the top corner to tie the game, the assist to his D partner Ben Painter. Hayden Bruining then put the Colts up 2-1 on a great play with assists to Galloway and Mitch McMahon. McMahon then finished off a great pass from Galloway with the assist to Alex Howard. Grady Burke then scored what would become the game winner as he sniped from the point to score the 4th of the period, returning to his 'Phil Kessel' like playoff form.
The 3rd became a bit of a show as some emotions started to pour out of the stands and into some players on the ice. RH scored on the PP to make it 4-2, then some fireworks saw the first fight of the series, a decisive win by Adam Lewis as he accepted a challenge leaving the penalty box. It was such a good tilt that the entire RH team left the bench for a ring side seat...….
After the dust settled, the Colts killed off a long power play and although RH scored one late with the net empty, Burke's goal stood up as the game winner and the Colts held a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 was back at Allandale and the Colts came into this one short handed. With a couple suspensions, injuries and a flu bug, the Colts knew they would need to be strong defensively, battle to keep this one close and take advantage of some opportunities and try to end the series. Well the Colts did just that.
RH scored two goals in the second period, less than a minute apart. The Colts regrouped and started to find an attack as the second came to end. Michael Brassor made some unbelievable saves to hold his team in it and help to get things going. Scott Ummels responded as he found a loose puck in front of the RH goalie and made no mistake making it 2-1. Assists went to Ethan Pegg and Cameron Taylor. Then in the 3rd, it was Ummels again who made no mistake, finding the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2. Assists went to Brad Wilson (AP) and Galloway. Now the Colts were rolling. They continued their offensive attack and started overtime with one purpose, end this series. After a great offensive shift that produced a number of great chances, the Colts were set up for a offensive zone faceoff. Bruining won the draw clean to Galloway who made no mistake and pick the top corner with a one time slapshot and just like that, the Colts won game 4 and will advance to the York Simcoe Championships.
Was a great effort by all and their compete and desire to win came through.
The Colts will now wait the winner of Stouffville and Markham to see who they will play next.
Yes there was some disappointment when lost in the OMHA league finals to Newmarket, but like we have said, if we are in it, lets go win it !!!
Good luck in the finals boys, lets go do this !!