R’Hawks ousted in six-game PCHL playoff

Hopes for a berth in the Provincial Junior Hockey League semifinals were dashed when the Niagara RiverHawks hosted the Hamilton Huskies Jr. Blues with their playoff lives on the line.

After rebounding from a 3-1 deficit to tie Saturday night’s game at Gale Centre in Niagara Falls at 3-3, Niagara ran out of comebacks.

Their only answer to three more goals from the visitors in a 6-4 loss was Nick Volpatti’s second of the game with 1:28 remaining in regulation.

Hamilton, which trailed the best-of-seven South Bloomfield Division quarterfinal two games to none at one point, eliminated the RiverHawks by winning its fourth in a row.

Dante Massi and Keith Palmer rounded out the scoring for Niagara, which outshot the Blues 38-30.

Carter Franks, Colin Kijowski, Alex Campbell, Patrick Vulgan, Scott McLaren and Danny Attridge scored for the Blues.

Hamilton was more effective on special teams finishing the game 2-for-4 on the power play and scoring a short-handed goal. Niagara went 1-for-6 with a man advantage.

Only two points separated the Blues, fourth, 21-16-2-3; from the R’Hawks, fifth, 20-17-0-5; in league play.

Hamilton advances to face the top-seeded Glanbrook Rangers in the semifinal round of the junior C playoffs, also best-of-seven.

The other semifinal has the No. 2 seed Grimsby Peach Kings playing the third-seeded Hagersville Hawks.

Grimsby was scheduled to host the Hawks Monday at Peach King Centre. Game 2 is tonight in Hagersville.

In the first round, Glanbrook swept the eighth-seeded Hespeler Shamrocks, Hagersville swept the No. 6 seed Port Dover Sailors, and Grimsby defeated the seventh-seeded Dunnville Mudcats 4-1.