Stars draw even with Blades in St. John’s Junior Hockey League semifinals series

Caps up 3-1 on Eagles

The CBN Junior Stars tied their St. John’s Junior Hockey League (SJJHL) semifinal series with the Mount Pearl Blades on Tuesday night after getting some help from an unlikely source.

Needing a goaltender to fill in for Game 4 of the series, the Stars turned to Tri Pen Osprey goaltender Andrew Akerman.

The Grade 10 student, who was making his first junior league start, gave a great performance in turning aside 28 of the 31 shots he faced to help CBN to a 4-3 victory.

“It was a great feeling going out,” Akerman told the league after the game. “The boys had my back the whole way, from a rocky start all the way up to the great finish.

“Everybody had each other’s back.”

After falling behind 1-0 in the first minute of the game, the Stars got a natural hat trick from Tyler Dohey and ended the first period up 3-1.

Corey Parsons also scored for CBN, while Nicholas Crosbie had three assists on the night.

For the Blades, Nicholas Moore, Vijay Sahajpal and Lucas White provided the scoring.

Avery Loveless made 33 saves on 37 shots for Mount Pearl.

The best-of-seven series between the Stars and the Blades is tied at 2-2.

Game 5 of the series is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, at the Glacier in Mount Pearl. Game time is 8 p.m.

CAPS PUSH EAGLES TO THE BRINK

In the league’s other semifinal series, the St. John’s Junior Caps have moved to within a game of another trip to the league finals.

After their 5-2 win over the Northeast Eagles in Game 4 of the series on March 17, St. John’s took a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Andrew Veitch and Devon Murphy had two goals apiece in that one, while Mark Davis added a single.

For the Eagles, Kyle Campbell and Luke Power had the goals.

Nathan Hurley stopped 47 of 49 pucks hurled his way for the Caps, while Lucas Park made 24 saves on 28 chances.

The Eagles will try to stave off elimination on Saturday, March 23, in Game 5 of the series at the Twin Rinks in St. John’s.

Game time is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.