Metros complete comeback vs. Vipers

Sherwood-Parkdale to face Red Wings in IJHL final

The Sherwood-Parkdale A&S Scrap Metal Metros completed the comeback.

The Metros, behind Alex Kelley’s 37-save shutout, defeated the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers 4-0 win in Game 7 of the best-of-seven Island Junior Hockey League semifinal series on Sunday night.

The Metros once faced a 3-1 series deficit, but fought back with three straight wins, including a 4-1 road decision on Friday night to send the series to the limit.

The Metros will now face the defending-champion and firstplace Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings in the bestof-seven championship series. The dates for that series are expected to be released very soon.

It marks the first time in 15 years the Vipers will not play in the league championship series. The Falcons last reached the final during the 2009-10 season.

Metros 4 Vipers 0

At the Cody Banks Arena, Ryan Boswall’s goal at 15:39 of the first period was all the offence Kelly would require. The Metros took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, and extended that margin to 3-0 at the end of 40 minutes.

Pat McGuigan (1-1), Connor Gray and Grant MacAdam also scored for the Metros. Cody McPhee contributed three assists while single helpers went to Zach Ladner and Dylan MacDonald.

Vipers goaltender Rett Rook faced 25 shots.

Metros 4 Vipers 1

At Credit Union Centre in Kensington, McPhee scored twice while McGuigan (1-1) and Connor McGregor added single goals for the Metros. Gray (3), Alex Hall (2) and Jordan Birt added assists.

Campbell Gallant, assisted by Easton Smith and Riley Gallant, staked the Vipers to a brief 1-0 lead in the first period.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the opening frame, but the Metros opened up a 4-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

Kelly earned the goaltending win over Rook. The final shotson-goal totals were 41-40 in favour of the Metros.