Its crossover time! The Georgetown Raiders will be the opponents for the Boyer Auto Group Pickering Panthers Sunday as they battle for the last playoff spot in the North. Its do or die for both teams as the winner of this game will play the Markham Royals in the first round. The two teams come into this one with one win a piece after two games head to head during the season. Georgetown’s key to this one will certainly be their special teams, with their powerplay ranking first in the league and their penalty kill second. The Panthers will look to carry their momentum from a very hot second half into this one and utilize home ice to their advantage. The Panthers will need to get on the board early and try to rattle the Georgetown goaltending to put themselves in a good position to win. Come down and support the boys Sunday night at 7:30 as they fight for their playoff lives at the den.

Raiders Need to Know

Record: 23-24-3-4

Away Record: 10-14-2-1

Head to Head: 1-1

Raiders Player to Watch:                              Nathan Torchia (19 GP, 8 W, 2.26 GAA, .937 SV%)

Carson Poulin (33 GP, 15 W, 2.57 GAA, .925 SV%)

                Georgetown will certainly be relying on their goaltending for the crossover game, no matter who they decide to start. Combined, the goaltending duo of Nathan Torchia and Carson Poulin have put together a very impressive 2.77 goals against average on the season which is good enough for seventh in the league. At 5’10”, Torchia uses his outstanding speed down low to take away any look that shooters think they may have. After beginning the season on the Owen Sound Attack’s roster, he joined Georgetown in October after spending the second half of last season there. Poulin is a completely different story, standing at 6’2, Carson can rely on his size to cut down any angles and give opposing shooters nothing to look at. Poulin has carried the majority of the load for the Raiders this season after coming over in the summer from the Trenton Golden Hawks. With these two in the crease, the Panthers offense will surely have their work cut out for them.

Panthers Player to Watch:                           Ethan Doyle- Panthers totals (31 GP, 14 G, 17 A, 31 P)

                 Ethan Doyle has been a massive addition for the Panthers since coming over in a trade with the Cobourg Cougars in November. Doyle has been a point per game player for the Panthers and currently leads the team with 38 points when adding his Cougars point total from earlier in the season. Doyle is a small, speedy forward who loves to get under the other team’s skin as well as contribute offensively. Doyle’s aggressive play has been a huge factor in the Panthers recent turn around and hot streak. If the Panthers are able to come out on top after the cross over game, Ethan will surely play a huge role in the win.