IGNAGNI & NEVILLE KEY BUZZERS WIN

Press Release

Riddled with injuries to some key players and after falling behind 2-0 in the series, the St. Michael’s Buzzers have found a way to fight back and even the best-of-seven OJHL Championship Series at two wins apiece following a game four 3-1 victory over the Newmarket Hurricanes.

In a continuing trend for both this series, and the entire playoffs, the two netminders stood tall and veteran forward Michael Neville would play his best game of the series thus far, notching two goals en route to the victory.

Prior to puck drop, the Newmarket Hurricanes and Ontario Junior Hockey League honoured the final year-end award winner of the season, as well as a longtime, dedicated Newmarket junior hockey fan.  For the second year in a row, the OJHL conducted online voting by fans to select the OJHL Fan Favourite and this year’s winner was ‘Canes rookie defenceman Travis Dermott.  Presenting the award to Dermott, on behalf of OJHL fans, was longtime Newmarket 87’s/Hurricanes fan Joe Boyer, who was also selected as the team’s Fan of the Year for his years of dedication to the league and the club.  Following the ceremony a moment of silence was observed in memory of those affected by the tragedy in Boston earlier in the day.

The Hurricanes would control much of the first period of play, outshooting the Buzzers 14-7 with three man advantage opportunities, but were unable to beat Adrian Ignagni, whose shutout string was extended to 84:39 before being broken in the second period.

Newmarket would continue to press early in the second, with some glorious open net chances around the crease that included a point blank shot from Daniel Leavens that was stopped by Buzzers forward Troy Josephs standing in the crease.  Moments later, once again on the power play, Fan Favourite Travis Dermott fired a low, hard point shot that was expertly redirected past Ignagni to end his shutout streak and give the home side an early lead.  Exactly three minutes later, Michael Neville potted his first of two on the night, flipping a seemingly harmless backhand high over Matthew Wintjes outstretched glove to knot the game at one.  The intensity continued to build in the series, escalating into a melee midway through the period in Newmarket’s end that would see 10 minutes in penalties doled out, including a Brandon Francisco double-minor for spearing.  On the ensuing power play, CJ Shugart deflected home a point shot, but after conferring at centre ice, the goal was waved off as a high-stick by the officials so we went to the break tied at one.

A back-and-forth third saw chances at both ends of the ice until Troy Josephs broke the deadlock at 12:33 with his seventh of the post-season and the eventual game winner.  With Ignagni holding the fort the rest of the way, stopping  46 shots on the night, playoff leading scorer Shane Conacher broke up a cross ice pass and fed Neville, who carried the puck into the empty net to clinch the 3-1 victory.

The stars of the game were Ignagni and Neville for the Buzzers, as well as Wintjes between the pipes for Newmarket with a 33 save performance.

Now down to a best-of-three series, the pivotal game five in the series will take place on Wednesday, April 17 at one of Canada’s most treasured rinks, the venerable St. Michael’s College School Arena, with puck drop at 7:30pm.

If you are unable to make the game in person, it can be seen live across the province for free to all Rogers Digital Cable customers on channel 368 or 369 in high-definition.  If not a Rogers subscriber, the game can still be seen live on FASTHockey at www.ojhl.fasthockey.com.

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