A much anticipated game for the Trenton players and fans following their ever-so-close loss to the Georgetown Raiders in game seven of the OJHL Championship Final- contest number four of the tournament on tap for Wednesday evening's entertainment at the Duncan McDonald arena.

 

The Raiders got two defencemen- veteran Matthew Thom and rookie Luke Beamish back for the game and Carson Pearce sat out with coach Greg Walters deciding to go with seven defencemen. Up front Jordan Anderson returned following a suspension putting forwards Scott Docherty and Arran MacDonald on the sidelines for this game. For the Golden Hawks the former Aurora Tiger James Thomson was in and Andrew Cordssen-David out on defence. Nick Latinovich and Chris Janzen were the starting goalkeepers, the same as game one. Latinovich came into the game having not conceded a goal for his last two appearances against the Golden Hawks. Playing in their own rink the 'Hawks were designated the 'visitors' for this game.

 

It was the eighth straight meeting between the clubs and they showed lots of respect for each other in the opening period. Not a lot of high quality chances despite the end-to-end action. The Raiders stayed on top of the 'Hawks for the most part. Georgetown had the advantage in shots on goal 12-7. One complete, no score.

 

Neither team could find the net in the second period with the best chance falling to ex-Powassan Voodoo Michael Silveri but somehow Latinovich made the save to keep his clean sheet going. With just under five minutes remaining the Raiders got their fifth powerplay chance of the game as Mac Lewis was sent off for goaltender interference but the result would be the same due to excellent penalty killing by the 'Hawks. They had to do it again when Dawson Baker was assessed a tripping minor in the last two minutes. Tempers started to flare late as Ryan Takamatsu and Brandon Marinelli got roughing calls. After 40 minutes no score with the 'Hawks leading in shots in the second frame 10-8.

 

Going into period number three it was looking like one goal might be enough in this one. With Anderson off for slashing Trenton had their best powerplay chances of the game but Latinovich stood firm despite taking a shot off the helmet. The Golden Hawks lost the services of leading scorer Liam Morgan, assessed a misconduct for his third stick infraction of the game. He picked up two slashing calls in the first period. Silveri and Lucas Brown almost connected on a two on one break shortly after but it would remain scoreless with twelve minutes left. Just past the halfway mark Matt McJannet of the Raiders and Josh Allan of Trenton were dismissed for a couple of minutes for roughing as the intensity continued. Ones were not lucky for Georgetown's top man, Jack Jacome, as he was called at 11.11 for hooking, then the 'Hawks would have a two man advantage for over a minute as Josh Dickinson was tabbed for a high stick. Mr. Dupont then called his club together on a timeout with over a half minute left in the two-man up situation. It was wild around the Georgetown net but still scoreless. Scoreless but never boring. Regulation final 0-0. Janzen

was credited with 30 saves on the contest; Latinovich repelled 26 for his third straight stonewalling of the Golden Hawks.

 

And so to ten minutes of overtime (no ice flood) and if still tied the dreaded shootout...something missing this season in the OJHL.

 

With a minute and fifty seconds left in the overtime period Jordan Crocker got a slashing penalty giving the 'visitors' a chance to wrap it up but it would go to a contest of individual skills. Shots were six apiece.

 

Shootout- first for the G'town Jacome- Janzen saves. For Trenton Jeremy Pullara- off the post. Josh Dickinson- stopped. Anthony Sorrentino- off the stick of Latinovich. Keegan Blasby- backhand, save. Josh Allan- off side of net. Andrew Court- forehand blocked. Jordan Chard- save. Matt McJannet- scores for the Raiders, their fifth shooter. Lucas Brown- denied on the backhand. Raiders win 1-0.

 

So with three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime victory and one for an extra time loss the standings going into the last day of the round-robin are...

 

Trenton 4 points, Georgetown 3, Powassan 3 and Dryden 2.

 

Naturally both 'keepers got player of the game for their teams.

 

A regulation win for the Golden Hawks Thursday over Dryden will put them in first place and give them a bye into the Final on Saturday. Lots of other possibilities too..stay tuned!