Article provided by Coach McClure............
A successful couple weeks of tight checked hockey from the Mitchell Hoegy Farm Supply Peewee AE’s have seen them advance and take a commanding 2-0 series lead into their O.M.H.A. semi-final against the Huntsville Otters.
After a hard fought 5 game series with season rival Goderich, Mitchell advanced to the O.M.H.A. quarter-final series against an equally worthy opponent in Collingwood; a series, which would again, come down to a deciding game.
The boys were on the road for the first two games of the series and saw them come back with a 2-1 win and a 3-2 O.T. loss. Kurtis Eisler continued strong playoff play chipping in both goals in Game 1, while Tanner Knechtel held the spot light at times providing key stops at crucial points in the opening match. He proved just as solid in the following day’s OT defeat. Luke O’Rourke and Eisler scored in the loss, which saw Collingwood capitalize on a powerplay 18 seconds into the extra frame.
The series came back to Mitchell for games 3 and 4, and followed a similar pattern as to the opening games of the series. The local boys took another series, winning a very tight-checked and defensive hockey game in 2-0. The O’Rourke connection came through for the games winning goal mid-way through the second frame and with workman type leadership, captain Brett DeJong iced the game in the dying seconds. Aaron McNeil got the start back home and shared in the moments of glory, highlighted by a game saving breakaway stop. Collingwood would remember the pain and anguish of losing a close first game as they came out flying the following Saturday in Mitchell. Within two minutes of the puck drop, the home boys were down a pair. From then on, Mitchell took over the game and the series. Outshooting their opponents 22 – 8 in the final two periods and with Curtis Lockhart cutting the lead to just one, Mitchell could not slide one past the Collingwood netminder and the series headed back to the Mountain for game 5.
Mitchell carried the momentum they had in the previous day’s loss and took a first period 4-0 lead in the deciding game setting the tone for a 7-1 finish. Mitchell’s back end supplied 4 of the 7, Tyler Smith with a pair of goals and assists, Jamie Adair with one of each and Steven Bird with a nifty dangle at the blue line while dusting it off just under the bar, worthy of the number 8 on his back. Lockhart added another pair while Riley Sykes rounded out the scoring. Quaid Austin, Kurtis Eisler, Andrew Feltz and Ben Hart all added helpers.
With the loom of skating on an Olympic sized pad, the boys continued their success on the road in Huntsville in the opening two games of their O.M.H.A. semi-final series with the Otters this past weekend bringing home a 2-0 series lead. Tanner Knechtel proved to be a road warrior once again taking both games and, with jaw-dropping acrobatic saves, lead his team to 2-1 and 3-1 wins. Lead by teeth clenching efforts from Quaid Austin, Riley Sykes and Jack O’Rourke, the boys started blocking shots and winning battles, instilling that hard-nosed character that is admirable to any playoff team. Luke O’Rourke and Jamie Adair had the goals in the 2-1 win, while Tyler Smith ran through the offence and tucked it under the bar for the insurance goal in Sunday’s match, adding to earlier efforts by Eisler and Sykes. Consistent defensive reliability and offensive flare from Jacob Laing and Steven Bird added depth and danger to the Mitchell squad.
The series continues back in Mitchell Friday, March 9th at 8:00 right after the Atom O.M.H.A. semi-final game against Lambeth, then back Saturday, March 10th at 2:45. If needed, game 5 will head back to cottage country on Sunday at 2:00.
In W.O.A.A. League action, Mitchell now advances to face the winner of Blyth-Brussels or Drayton after defeating Goderich and Monkton in a home and home round robin format. Mitchell defeated Monkton twice, 2-1 and 3-2 in O.T., and split with Goderich in their 12th and 13th game between the two rivals this year, 2-1 and 4-1. Stay posted for further action.