Meteors come back to even series
During the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s regular season, only six points separated the firstplace Caledonia Corvairs and the second-place Fort Erie Meteors over 50 games.
Caledonia took the season series four games to three, but Fort Erie won the final two games in head-tohead play.
And what about the gap between the finalists in the junior-B league’s Golden Horseshoe Conference four games into a best-of-seven playoff? Based on the only number that counts at this time of year — victories — it’s non-existent. On Wednesday night, the Meteors scored a 3-2 come-from-behind victory to even the third-round series at two wins apiece.
Each of the games has been a nailbiter, decided by one goal. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s nine goals for and nine against.
While drama up and down the ice, rush after rush, can be nerve-racking and physically draining, thirdyear Meteors forward Kyle Adamo wouldn’t have it any other way. Given the choice, the 20-year-old would rather compete in a close game than a lopsided tilt any night of the week.
“I personally like it because you stay on top of your toes. You’re always ready,” he said after scoring two goals, including the game-winner, 11:43 into the third period.
“I like it better than a blowout game.”
While Fort Erie’s road record so far in the post-season is 6-1, Wednesday night’s win before an announced crowd of 1,650 at Fort Erie Leisureplex was the team’s first at home since March 27, improving their record as the hosts to 4-3.
“I haven’t been scoring at home lately, so it’s nice to score in front of our fans. They’re the best fans in the league,” said Adamo, who has nine goals and nine assists in 14 playoff games.
Meteors general manager-head coach Nik Passero wasn’t surprised that it was Adamo who would lead the charge in a much-needed win that kept the Meteors from being pushed to the brink of elimination.
“I would say since Game 3 of the St. Catharines series, he’s been a different player,” Passero said. “Obviously, you know what he’s done in the regular season, but in Game 3 of the St. Catharines series, he just kind of turned a corner.
“He’s just been great.” Twelve of Adamo’s 18 playoff points have been collected since the third game of the six-game semifinal versus the third-seeded St. Catharines Falcons.
In Game 4, the Corvairs, who led the conference and the 23-team league in scoring during the regular season, hit the ice with their foot on the gas and played that way for the full 60 minutes.
“They’re great with the puck,” Passero said of Caledonia. “But something about our team, we get down, we just don’t die.
“Nothing fazes these guys, not a goal against, not a fluke play, nothing.
“Nothing fazes this group, and it’s all (credit to) the leadership group.”
Passero was asked what he needed to do to get the team ready for Thursday night’s game in Caledonia, where the Meteors won the series opener, 3-2, and dropped a 2-1 decision in Game 3.
“I honestly don’t think I have to do anything,” he said. “They just take what’s in front of them, whether at practice or team dinner or the biggest game in program history.
“They just go out and do it. They’re the best group of kids I’ve ever been around.”
Passero, the conference’s coach of the year, said it was nice to finally win at home after two losses.
“We haven’t won at home in probably a week and a half, two weeks,” he said. “We’ve had thousands and thousands of people come out and watch us, and no matter what, win or lose they have our backs.
“Just to give (the fans) a win tonight was so important, and they deserve it.”
Liam Beamish, on the power play, rounded out the scoring for the Meteors. Sami Douglas and Dylan Wardell netted goals for the Corvairs.
Fort Erie outshot the visitors, 3027, including by a 13-8 margin in the first period.
The Meteors went 1-for-3 with a man advantage; the Corvairs, 0for-1.
Game 6 is Saturday night in Fort Erie with a seventh game, if needed, Monday in Caledonia.
The winner of the series will advance to play the Midwestern and Western conference champions in a three-team double round-robin tournament. The top two go on to face each other in a best-of-seven playoff for the Sutherland Cup, which is presented annually to the Ontario junior-B hockey champion.
Fort Erie has yet to win a Sutherland Cup, while Caledonia is seeking its fourth title in franchise history since winning three in a row from 2014 to 2016.
Nothing fazes these guys, not a goal against, not a fluke play, nothing.
NIK PASSERO FORT ERIE GENERAL MANAGERHEAD COACH