IGNAGNI LEADS BUZZERS BACK INTO SERIES

Press Release

For the second time in three games, Matthew Wintjes and Adrian Ignagni turned in masterful performances to both give their teams an opportunity to win game three of the 2013 OJHL Championship Series on Saturday night at St. Michael's College School Arena.

After Wintjes pitched a 1-0 shutout for the Newmarket Hurricanes in game one of the series, it was Ignagni who would return the favour in game three, stopping all 39 Hurricanes shots for a 1-0 victory to cut Newmarket's series lead in half.

Up 2-0 in the best-of-seven affair, Newmarket once again came out firing, outshooting the hometown Buzzers 17-10 in the first period, but coming up empty-handed thanks to Ignagni's efforts.  With the level of intensity picking up with every period of action, St. Michael's was the first to strike as Matt Galati scored for the second consecutive game, notching his 12th of the post-season on the power play midway through the first.  The goal would ultimately stand-up as the game-winner, his third of the playoffs, while Shane Conacher added to his league-leading point total with 33 points in 19 games played.

Period was fast and hard-hitting neither side giving an inch.  The Buzzers would outshoot the Hurricanes 16-12.

Press as they would, the Hurricanes would fail to beat Ignagni on this night, outshooting St. Michael's 39-34 on the night.  The Buzzers turned in an impressive performance on the night to win their first League Championship Series contest since 2006 and guarantee they will return to play on home ice in game five.  Ignagni was star number on the night with his first career post-season shutout.  Galati was second star with the game-winner, while Wintjes stopped 33 shots in a losing effort to be named star number three.

Game four in the 2013 OJHL Championship series will take place on Monday night, April 15 at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex in Newmarket, Ontario with puck drop at 7:30pm.  Prior to the game, the OJHL will announce the 2013 Fan Favourite Award winner in a special pre-game ceremony.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)