Panthers win to take series to 3-2
Playoff action returns to Port Hope Saturday for Game 6
The PJHL East Division final is getting interesting.
The Lakefield Chiefs are having trouble finishing off the three-time champion Port Hope Panthers.
The Chiefs won the first three games of the best-of-seven series but Port Hope’s 4-0 win Thursday night at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre has made it a 3-2 series. The Panthers also won Game 4 in Port Hope on Tuesday 5-1.
The series shifts to the Jack Burger Sports Complex for Game 6 on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. If Game 7 is necessary it will be played at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Lakefield.
Game 5 was scoreless for more than half the game. It was 1-0 until the Panthers scored three goals three goals 3:34 apart early in the third.
“They’re a very good hockey team and they won’t go down without a fight,” said Chiefs coach Jamie Arcand. “We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now. Not a lot of puck luck right now. We’re getting pucks to the net but can’t seem to get any by this tender.”
Spyros Koskinas started the first three games for Port Hope but has been replaced by Stephen Calbury who has allowed one goal over 120 minutes.
“The kids had a little talk amongst themselves (after the game),” said Arcand. “They know what they have to do and I expect them to get it done on Saturday.”
After 31:58 of scoreless action, Port Hope struck on a failed clearing attempt by the Chiefs. Jarrett Desormeaux kept the puck in at the point and fed Brandon Weeks at the edge of the crease where he lifted a shot over goalie Michael Christie.
Port Hope went up by two on a power play 4:04 into the third when Nathan Snoek’s point shot deflected in off Peterborough minor hockey grad Cam Harris.
A hooking penalty to Cole Robbins had just expired when Port Hope went up by three at 6:39 on a goal by Peterborough native and former Petes draft pick Dayton Kent. Only 59 seconds later sustained Panthers pressure led to Kevin Lemitre converting in the slot.
“The first few games were pretty close,” said Kent. “Both teams played pretty good but it’s definitely nice to have it 3-2 going back home. I think we all just kind of dug a little deeper and it’s working for us.
“The last game gave us a bit of confidence,” Kent said. “We’ve had a little more effort in front of the net and willingness to battle.”
Chiefs’ forward Matt Carroll said his team has got away from what made them successful.
“We’re not working as hard as we were the first three games,” Carroll said, “but we’re not worried. We’re going to come back in game six and steal one in their barn. It’s a bigger ice surface so we have to prepare for that but we’re still going to play the same style of hockey.”
The Chiefs lost their second leading scorer, Matt McIntyre, to an upper body injury in Game 4.
“He’s not too bad,” Arcand said. “He wanted to rest tonight but he says he’s good to go on Saturday. I’ll talk to him (Friday) and again Saturday just to make sure he’s feeling better. It’s nothing that is going to keep him our long-term.”